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Cognitions as mediators in the relationship between self-compassion and affect
Kohki Arimitsu1, Stefan G Hofmann2
1Komazawa University, Department of Psychology, 1-23-1 Komazawa, Setagaya, Tokyo 154-8525, Japan.
Personality and Individual Differences
|November 15, 2014
Summary
Self-compassion and self-esteem influence positive thinking, reducing anxiety. Positive thoughts mediate the link between self-compassion and negative feelings, improving mental well-being in Japanese adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Self-compassion is linked to mental health, but the role of cognitions is unclear.
- Cognitive factors may explain how self-compassion impacts psychological well-being.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating role of cognitions in the self-compassion-mental health relationship.
- To examine the influence of positive and negative automatic thoughts.
- To control for self-esteem in a Japanese population.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with Japanese participants (N=231 and N=233).
- Study 1 modeled negative automatic thoughts as a mediator.
- Study 2 examined both positive and negative automatic thoughts as mediators.
Main Results:
- Self-compassion and self-esteem increased positive automatic thoughts and decreased trait anxiety.
- Self-esteem directly increased life satisfaction and decreased depression.
- Positive automatic thoughts mediated the relationship between self-compassion and negative affect.
Conclusions:
- Both positive and negative automatic thoughts mediate the relationship between self-compassion and affect.
- Cognitive processes are key mechanisms linking self-compassion to mental health outcomes.
- Findings highlight the importance of cognitive factors in self-compassion research within Japanese culture.
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