The Effect and Mechanism of Self-Compassion on Reducing Materialism: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online
Xiaodan Gu1, Ming Wu1, Xianglong Zeng1
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Materialism reflects the prioritisation of material wealth as a life pursuit, which is a negative mentality, but interventions aimed at reducing this negative mentality from the perspective of intrapersonal resources are rare. When inner resources are lacking, individuals tend to seek the extrinsic materials. This study developed a new 14-day online self-help intervention called Positive Self, which involves psychoeducation focusing on self-compassion and meditation, including breathing meditations and loving-kindness meditations. A randomised control trial was conducted to test its effects on materialism and to explore the mediating role of self-compassion, basic psychological needs, and self-esteem (n = 154 for intervention group; n = 155 for waitlist group). The results indicated that the Positive Self group significantly improved self-compassion, self-esteem, and basic psychological needs, and showed reduced materialism compared with the waiting group. The three mediating effect pathways from self-compassion to materialism were supported: basic psychological needs, self-esteem, and the pathway from basic psychological needs to self-esteem. This study highlights the role of intrapersonal resources, particularly self-compassion, in reducing materialism and underscores the significance of inner sources such as self-esteem and basic psychological needs. Additionally, it supports the efficacy of a brief online self-compassion intervention. Trial Registration: NCT06322069. Date of registration: March 12, 2024.
Related Concept Videos
Egoism and Altruism
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Empathy
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...


