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The relationship of self-compassion and self-esteem with coping and well-being

Schlenker, L.S. (2017) The relationship of self-compassion and self-esteem with coping and well-being.

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Abstract:Self-compassion and self-esteem are related concepts that both refer to a specific way of self- to-self relating. For decades promoting self-esteem has been the method of choice for enhancing peoples’ well-being. However, research indicates that there are side-effects associated with high self-esteem. For this reason, the Buddhist concept of self-compassion found its way into academic psychology as a healthier alternative. Because both concepts are related to well-being, it was hypothesized that they share a common feature. The aim of the present study was to find this underlying mechanism that explains the relationship with psychological well-being. As both concepts affect responses to distress, a mediation effect of coping was assumed. To investigate this, an online survey was conducted. The results showed that positive coping partially mediated the relationship of self-compassion and self-esteem with psychological well-being. Negative coping showed no such mediation effect. However, self- compassion and self-esteem remained better predictors for well-being than coping. This indicates that they are either mainly related to well-being in a direct manner, or other, unknown variables mediate the relationship with well-being. Future research should be directed at these two interpretations and also clarify causality, as the present study had a cross-sectional, correlational design.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/72618
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