• DOI:10.1111/aphw.12051
• Corpus ID: 21793947

The Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis.

@article{Zessin2015TheRB,
  title={The Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis.},
  author={Ulli Zessin and Oliver Dickh{\"a}user and Sven F Garbade},
  journal={Applied psychology. Health and well-being},
  year={2015},
  volume={7 3},
  pages={
          340-64
        }
}

• Ulli Zessin, O. Dickhäuser, S. Garbade
• Published 1 November 2015
• Psychology
• Applied psychology. Health and well-being

BACKGROUND
Self-compassion describes a positive and caring attitude of a person toward her- or himself in the face of failures and individual shortcomings. As a result of this caring attitude, individuals high in self-compassion are assumed to experience higher individual well-being. The present meta-analysis examines the relationship between self-compassion and different forms of well-being.

METHOD
The authors combined k = 79 samples, with an overall sample size of N = 16,416, and analyzed the central tendencies of effect sizes (Pearson correlation coefficients) with a random-effect model.

RESULTS
We found an overall magnitude of the relationship between self-compassion and well-being of r = .47. The relationship was stronger for cognitive and psychological well-being compared to affective well-being. Sample characteristics and self-esteem were tested as potential moderators. In addition, a subsample of studies indicated a causal effect of self-compassion on well-being.

CONCLUSIONS
The results clearly highlight the importance of self-compassion for individuals' well-being. Future research should further investigate the relationship between self-compassion and the different forms of well-being, and focus on the examination of possible additional moderators.