Self-compassion, stress and health behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Research shows that self-compassion is associated with lower stress levels and greater engagement in health-promoting behaviours through enabling a positive attitude towards the self in times of difficulty. This meta-analysis reviewed existing literature and examined the relationship between self-compassion and stress, as well as self-compassion and health-risk or health-promoting behaviours in adults. Key terms were searched in PsycINFO, EMBASE MEDLINE, Web of Science and CINAHL databases (10,444 studies identified). Nineteen studies met the eligibility criteria (combined N = 9660). Results indicated a positive association between self-compassion and health-promoting behaviours (r = .23). Negative associations were found between self-compassion and stress (r = -.51) and between self-compassion and health-risk behaviours (r = -.19). Stress was positively associated with health-risk behaviours but negatively associated with health-promoting behaviours (r = .17, r = -.34, respectively). Meta-regressions did not identify significant moderators, such that the relationships between self-compassion and stress and health-promoting behaviours did not vary with age, gender, measure reliabilities and study duration. Mediation analysis revealed that the associations between self-compassion and health-promoting behaviours and self-compassion and health-risk behaviours were partially mediated through stress. These findings demonstrate that self-compassion has both direct and indirect effects on health behaviour via stress, suggesting that cultivating a self-compassionate attitude is important for reducing stress and promoting better health behaviour.