The Relationship Between Self‐Compassion and Well‐Being: A Meta‐Analysis. Issue 3 (26th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zessin, Ulli; Dickhäuser, Oliver; Garbade, Sven
• Is Part Of: Applied psychology. Volume 7:Issue 3(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 340
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2015-08-26
• Subjects: Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; Well-being -- Periodicals; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Health -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Psychologie appliquée -- Périodiques; Bien-être -- Périodiques; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-0846

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="aphw12051-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="aphw12051-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Self‐compassion describes a positive and caring attitude of a person toward her‐ or himself in the face of failures and individual shortcomings. As a result of this caring attitude, individuals high in self‐compassion are assumed to experience higher individual well‐being. The present meta‐analysis examines the relationship between self‐compassion and different forms of well‐being.</p> </sec> <sec id="aphw12051-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>The authors combined <italic>k</italic> = 79 samples, with an overall sample size of <italic>N</italic> = 16, 416, and analyzed the central tendencies of effect sizes (Pearson correlation coefficients) with a random‐effect model.</p> </sec> <sec id="aphw12051-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>We found an overall magnitude of the relationship between self‐compassion and well‐being of <italic>r</italic> = .47. The relationship was stronger for cognitive and psychological well‐being compared to affective well‐being. Sample characteristics and self‐esteem were tested as potential moderators. In addition, a subsample of studies indicated a causal effect of self‐compassion on well‐being.</p> </sec> <sec id="aphw12051-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The results clearly highlight the importance of self‐compassion for individuals' well‐being. Future research should further investigate the relationship between self‐compassion and the different forms of well‐being, and focus on the examination of possible additional moderators.</p> </sec> </abstract>