A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between self-compassion and the psychological effects of perceived stress. Issue 6 (2nd November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stutts, Lauren A.; Leary, Mark R.; Zeveney, Andrew S.; Hufnagle, Ashley S.
• Is Part Of: Self and identity. Volume 17:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 609
• Page End: 626
• Publication Date: 2018-11-02
• Subjects: Self-compassion -- stress -- depression -- college students; Self -- Periodicals; Identity (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Cognition -- Periodicals; Motivation (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2017.1422537
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-8868

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Self-compassion is consistently associated with psychological well-being, but most research has examined their relationship at only a single point in time. This study employed a longitudinal design to investigate the relationship between baseline self-compassion, perceived stress, and psychological outcomes in college students ( n = 462) when the outcomes were measured both concurrently with perceived stress and after a lag of six months. Self-compassion moderated the effects of perceived stress such that stress was less strongly related to depression, anxiety, and negative affect among participants who scored high rather than low in self-compassion. Self-compassion also moderated the effects of perceived stress on depression and anxiety prospectively after six months. Self-compassion predicted positive affect but moderated the effects of perceived stress on positive affect in only one analysis. This study suggests that high self-compassion provides emotional benefits over time, partly by weakening the link between stress and negative outcomes.