Predictors of Self-Compassion in Early Adulthood: The Role of Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Self-Esteem

Katrim Alifa Putrikita; Malida Fatimah

doi:10.31293/mv.v9i1.9386

Predictors of Self-Compassion in Early Adulthood: The Role of Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Self-Esteem

Katrim Alifa Putrikita, Malida Fatimah

Abstract

Self-compassion, or compassion for oneself, is important for young adults because it protects them from the pressures and demands of life. Self-love enables individuals to respond more realistically to life’s demands, allowing them to continue striving without judging or blaming themselves. Empirical findings indicate that self-compassion among early adults tends to range from moderate to low. The process of developing self-compassion in early adults is not easy because various psychological problems commonly influence their level of self-compassion. Psychological problems commonly experienced by early adults are related to depression, stress, anxiety, and self-esteem. This study aims to explore how depression, stress, anxiety, and self-esteem predict and influence the level of self-compassion in early adults. With a deeper understanding of the influence of these factors, it is hoped that more effective ways to increase self-compassion in early adults can be found, which in turn can contribute to mental and emotional well-being. The scales used in this study were the Self-Compassion Scale, DASS 42, and Single-Item Self-Esteem Scale. Data analysis was performed using multiple regression tests. The results of this study indicate that stress was identified as a significant predictor of self-compassion in young adults, while depression, anxiety, and self-esteem do not show a significant influence. These findings indicate that high levels of stress are associated with a decrease in an individual's ability to be kind to themselves when facing difficulties. Based on these findings, it is recommended that practitioners, such as psychologists and counselors, prioritize stress management as an initial intervention to enhance self-compassion in early adulthood.

Full Text:

PDF

References

Arnett, J. J. (2015). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

de Souza, L. K., Policarpo, D., & Hutz, C. S. (2020). Self-compassion and Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression. Trends in Psychology, 28(1), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-020-00018-2

Dundas, I., Binder, P. E., Hansen, T. G. B., & Stige, S. H. (2017). Does a short self-compassion intervention for students increase healthy self-regulation? A randomized control trial. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 58(5), 443–450. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12385

Ewert, C., Vater, A., & Schröder-Abé, M. (2021). Self-Compassion and Coping: a Meta-Analysis. Mindfulness, 12(5), 1063–1077. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01563-8

Feldman, R. S. (2018). Development Across the Life Span Eighth Edition. In Pearson. Pearson. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781492595663-ch007

Holas, P., Kowalczyk, M., Krejtz, I., Wisiecka, K., & Jankowski, T. (2023). The relationship between self-esteem and self-compassion in socially anxious. Current Psychology, 42(12), 10271–10276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02305-2

Hudzaifah, M., & Alifa Putrikita, K. (2024). Self-Compassion and Stress in Early Adulthood. International Conference on Psychology UMBY, 125–141. https://ejurnal.mercubuana-yogya.ac.id/index.php/ICoP/article/view/4094

Kroshus, E., Hawrilenko, M., & Browning, A. (2021). Stress, self-compassion, and well-being during the transition to college. Social Science and Medicine, 269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113514

Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U

Meilasari, A.-, & Utami, M. S. (2022). The Role of Self-compassion to Depression in Teenagers Mediated by Emotion Regulation. Jurnal Psikologi, 49(2), 144. https://doi.org/10.22146/jpsi.67752

Monks, F. ., Knoers, A. M. ., & Haditono, S. R. (2008). Psikologi Perkembangan: Pengantar dalam Berbagai Bagiannya. In Yogyakarta: UGM Press,. https://books.google.com/books/about/Psikologi_perkembangan.html?hl=id&id=xJqrzwEACAAJ

Neff, K. (2003). Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself. Self and Identity, 2, 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860390129863

Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21923

Nevid, J. S., Rathus, S. A., & Greene, B. (2014). Psikologi Abnormal di Dunia yang Terus Berubah : edisi kesembilan jilid 2. Erlangga. https://simpt.stikesmitrakeluarga.ac.id/cendana/index.php?p=show_detail&id=4846&keywords=

Pandey, R., Tiwari, G. K., Parihar, P., & Rai, P. K. (2021). Positive, not negative, self-compassion mediates the relationship between self-esteem and well-being. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 94(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12259

Raes, F. (2010). Rumination and worry as mediators of the relationship between self-compassion and depression and anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(6), 757–761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.01.023

Robins, R. W., Hendin, H. M., & Trzesniewski, K. H. (2001). Measuring global self-esteem: Construct validation of a single-item measure and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27(2), 151–161. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167201272002

Santrock, J. W. (2012). Life-span development, perkembangan masa hidup, edisi 13, jilid 1. Erlangga.

Shapira, L. B., & Mongrain, M. (2010). The benefits of self-compassion and optimism exercises for individuals vulnerable to depression. Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(5), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2010.516763

Sirois, F. M., Molnar, D. S., & Hirsch, J. K. (2019). Self-compassion, stress, and coping in the context of chronic illness. Self and Identity, 18(3), 247–262. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2018.1436587

Stephenson, E., Watson, P. J., Chen, Z. J., & Morris, R. J. (2018). Self-Compassion, Self-Esteem, and Irrational Beliefs. Current Psychology, 37(4), 809–815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9563-2

Sugianto, D., Suwartono, C., & Sutanto, S. H. (2020). Reliabilitas dan validitas Self-Compassion Scale versi Bahasa Indonesia. Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat, 7(2), 177–191. https://doi.org/10.24854/jpu107

Sugiyono, S. (2016). Metode penelitian kuantitatif, kualitatif, R&D. In Bandung: Alfabeta (Vol. 1, Issue 11). CV. Alfabeta.

Uchida, T., Takahashi, T., Sugiyama, F., Kikai, T., Nitta, Y., & Kumano, H. (2023). Effect of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Self-Compassionate Behaviors: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychological Reports, 126(6), 2757–2788. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941221080410

Widyana, R., Merli Safitri, R., & Sumiharso. (2020). Community mental health survey in Covid-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 14(2), 1540–1547.

Wiffida, D., Dwijayanto, I. M. R., & Priastana, I. K. A. (2022). Faktor-faktor yang Mempengaruhi Self-Compassion: Studi Literatur. Indonesian Journal of Health Research, 2022(1), 19–23. https://doi.org/10.51713/IDJHR.V5I1.47

Wu, D. (2024). Alleviating Depression and Anxiety through Self-Compassion: An Analytical Approach to the Theory, Evidence, and Implications of Self-Compassion Practices. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 29, 344–348. https://doi.org/10.54097/n7kbnm79

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31293/mv.v9i1.9386