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Positive, not negative, self-compassion mediates the relationship between self-esteem and well-being
Ruchi Pandey1, Gyanesh Kumar Tiwari1, Priyanka Parihar1
1Department of Psychology, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Psychology and Psychotherapy
|November 22, 2019
Summary
Positive self-compassion, not negative, significantly predicts hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. It also mediates the relationship between self-esteem and well-being, highlighting its importance for positive life outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Well-being research
Background:
- Self-esteem and self-compassion are crucial psychological constructs.
- Understanding their roles in hedonic and eudaimonic well-being is essential for mental health.
- Previous research has explored these relationships, but further clarification is needed, especially in diverse cultural contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the predictive power of self-esteem and self-compassion (positive and negative) on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being.
- To investigate the mediating roles of positive and negative self-compassion in the link between self-esteem and well-being.
Main Methods:
- A correlational research design was utilized.
- Self-esteem, self-compassion (positive and negative), and measures of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being were assessed.
- Data were collected from 272 participants (134 males, 138 females).
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were found between self-esteem, positive self-compassion, and both well-being measures.
- Self-esteem and positive self-compassion significantly predicted hedonic and eudaimonic well-being.
- Positive self-compassion, but not negative self-compassion, mediated the relationship between self-esteem and well-being.
Conclusions:
- Positive self-compassion is a key predictor and mediator of well-being, alongside self-esteem.
- Both self-esteem and self-compassion are vital for understanding well-being, particularly in rapidly changing societies.
- The findings suggest a need to reconceptualize and empirically verify self-compassion for effective intervention development.
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