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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Published on: May 31, 2021

Self-compassion: a resource for positive aging.

Wendy J Phillips¹, Susan J Ferguson

¹School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.

The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences

|October 16, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Self-compassion is linked to greater psychological well-being in older adults, including increased positive affect and meaning in life. This study also found the Self-Compassion Scale has a different structure in older populations.

Keywords:

Aging Psychological well-being Self-Compassion Subjective well-being.

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Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

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Published on: May 31, 2021

Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing

Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing

Published on: January 24, 2020

Area of Science:

Gerontology
Clinical Psychology
Positive Psychology

Background:

Self-compassion is recognized for its positive psychological health associations in various age groups.
However, its specific role in the well-being of older adults requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine the association between self-compassion and subjective well-being (positive and negative affect).
To explore the relationship between self-compassion and psychological well-being (ego integrity, meaning in life) in older adults.
To assess the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale in this demographic.

Main Methods:

A sample of 185 adults aged 65 and older (mean age = 73.42) participated.
Participants completed self-report measures, including the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS).
Path analysis and factor analysis were employed to analyze the data.

Main Results:

Self-compassion demonstrated significant positive associations with positive affect, ego integrity, and meaning in life.
A significant negative association was found between self-compassion and negative affect.
Factor analyses indicated that the SCS structure observed in younger samples was not replicated; a two-factor structure emerged with predictive utility.

Conclusions:

Self-compassion is a valuable psychological resource for older adults, contributing to enhanced subjective and psychological well-being.
Findings support the integration of self-compassion-focused interventions to promote positive aging.
The study highlights the need for culturally and age-appropriately validated measures of self-compassion.