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Self-compassion, affect, and health-promoting behaviors
Fuschia M Sirois1, Ryan Kitner1, Jameson K Hirsch2
1Health and Well-being Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Bishop's University.
Summary
Self-compassion is linked to healthier habits like better eating, exercise, sleep, and stress management. This connection is partly explained by positive emotions and reduced negative emotions, highlighting self-compassion
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Emerging research suggests self-compassion fosters health behaviors.
- Self-regulation is a proposed mechanism, but emotions haven't been fully explored.
- Previous studies focused on intentions or risk behaviors, not positive health practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between self-compassion and health-promoting behaviors.
- To test the mediating roles of positive and negative affect.
- To expand on existing research by including emotional factors.
Main Methods:
- A small-scale meta-analysis of 15 independent samples (N=3,252).
- Examined correlations between self-compassion and self-reported health behaviors (diet, exercise, sleep, stress management).
- Eight samples also measured positive and negative affect to analyze mediation.
Main Results:
- Self-compassion showed a consistent positive association with health-promoting behaviors across all samples (average r=.25, p<.001).
- Positive affect (average IE=.08, p<.001) and negative affect (average IE=.06, p<.001) partially mediated this relationship.
- The combined indirect effect through both emotions was significant (average IE=.15, p<.0001).
Conclusions:
- Self-compassion is positively linked to practicing health-promoting behaviors.
- Adaptive emotions (positive affect, low negative affect) partially explain this association.
- Cultivating self-compassion may be a valuable strategy for enhancing health behaviors.
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