University of Twente Student Theses

Login

Does self-criticism mediate the relationship between self-compassion and well-being?

Fadin, Anna (2016) Does self-criticism mediate the relationship between self-compassion and well-being?

[img] PDF
722kB
Abstract:The aim of the current study was to explore the relationship between self-compassion and well-being in greater detail, by assessing whether self-criticism could function as a mediator on that relationship. In recent years the positive impact of self-compassion on well-being becomes more and more apparent. Still, there is not much known about the manner by which self-compassion influences well-being. Gaining a deeper understanding of that relationship can aid the effectiveness and a more specified construction of interventions and treatments designed to enhance well-being. Based on the effectiveness of self-compassion interventions in reducing self-criticism as well as its apparent focus on specific aspects of self-criticism it was hypothesised that it could function as a mediator in enhancing well-being. Furthermore, the relation between all three concepts was examined as well as the effectiveness of a self-compassion training. Data of 213 participants was used for the analysis. A randomized controlled trial design with an experimental and waiting list condition, was applied. The relation between concepts was examined with correlation analyses and the effectiveness of the training by means of one-way repeated-measures ANOVAs. Moreover, a mediation analysis was performed. Findings show that self-compassion was positively related to well-being, as well as negatively related to self-criticism, and that self-criticism had a weak to moderate negative relation to well-being. The results further suggest that the self-compassion training was effective in reducing self-criticism and enhancing well-being as well as self-compassion. However, no evidence was found of a mediating role of self-criticism. It is assumed that self-compassion is a factor that influences both self-criticism and well-being but rather separately from each other. According to the two continua model, mental illness and mental health from two related but distinct dimensions and self-compassion seems to influence both. In that sense well-being and self-criticism seem to lay on those different dimensions and therefore have themselves not such a strong relation with each other. This study presents findings that highlight the value self-compassion and its use. Incorporating self-compassion presenting developers and practitioners with an efficient manner to not only impact the psychopathological dimension but also increase peoples overall well-being.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/70035
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page