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Self-compassion protects against the negative effects of low self-esteem : A longitudinal study in a large adolescent sample
Marshall, Sarah Parker, Philip D. Ciarrochi, Joseph Sahdra, Baljinder Jackson, Chris Heaven, Patrick
Marshall, Sarah
Parker, Philip D.
Ciarrochi, Joseph
Sahdra, Baljinder
Jackson, Chris
Heaven, Patrick
Abstract
Low self-esteem is usually linked to negative outcomes such as poor mental health, but is this always the case? Based on a contextual behavioural model, we reasoned that self-compassion would weaken the link between low self-esteem and low mental health. Self-compassion involves accepting self-doubt, negative self-evaluations and adversity as part of the human condition. In a longitudinal study of 2448 Australian adolescents, we assessed how self-esteem interacted with self-compassion in Grade 9 to predict changes in mental health over the next year. As hypothesized, self-compassion moderated the influence of self-esteem on mental health. Amongst those high in self-compassion, low self-esteem had little effect on mental health, suggesting a potentially potent buffering affect. We discuss the possibility that fostering self-compassion among adolescents can reduce their need for self-esteem in situations that elicit self-doubt.
Keywords
Date
2015
Type
Journal article
Journal
Personality and Individual Differences
Book
Volume
74
Issue
Page Range
116-121
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Education and Arts
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education (ILSTE)
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education (ILSTE)
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled