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Scott JET, Mazzucchelli TG, Luszcz MA, Walker R, Windsor TD. Self-Compassion, Stressor Exposure, and Negative Affect: A Daily Diary Study of Older Adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2024; 79:gbae101. [PMID: 38822622 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Self-compassion has been identified as a psychological resource for aging well. To date, self-compassion among older adults has typically been conceptualized as a trait variable. This study examined whether day-to-day (state) variability in self-compassion was associated with negative affective reactivity to daily stressors. METHODS Daily diary assessment methods were used to examine the potential moderating role of between- and within-person self-compassion on the relationship between daily stressors and negative affect. A community-based sample of 107 older adults aged 65+ completed questionnaires once daily over 14 days. RESULTS Multilevel modeling revealed that 37% of the variance in self-compassion occurred within persons. Daily self-compassion moderated the relationship between daily stressor exposure and daily negative affect. On days with greater stressor exposure than usual, older adults showed less negative affective reactivity on days when self-compassion was higher, compared with days when self-compassion was lower. No moderating effects were observed for between-person (trait) self-compassion. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that self-compassion in older adults should be conceptualized as both state and trait variables and that state self-compassion may be protective in the stress-reactivity pathway. Future research should investigate whether brief self-compassion interventions might help older adults to avoid or downregulate negative emotions in response to stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E T Scott
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Mary A Luszcz
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ruth Walker
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Tim D Windsor
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Kauser S, Keyte R, Regan A, Nash EF, Fitch G, Mantzios M, Egan H. Exploring Associations Between Self-Compassion, Self-Criticism, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis: Informing Future Interventions. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2021; 29:332-343. [PMID: 34750694 PMCID: PMC9184429 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-021-09831-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Self-compassion is increasingly recognised as an important and beneficial factor in quality of life and mental health-related research, but research within the adult cystic fibrosis (CF) population is scarce. In a cross-sectional study, 114 (56 female, 58 male) adults with CF completed and returned a series of validated questionnaires that assessed CF-related quality of life, negative emotional states (depression, anxiety and stress), self-compassion, and self-criticism. Quality of life and self-compassion were positively correlated, and each in turn were inversely correlated with negative emotional states and self-criticism. Negative emotional states correlated positively to self-criticism. Self-compassion and/or self-criticism moderated ten relationships between various sub-domains of quality of life and negative emotions. Psychological interventions that increase self-compassion may be beneficial for enhancing mental health and quality of life for adults with CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kauser
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Room C332, The Curzon Building, 4 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD, UK.
| | - R Keyte
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Room C332, The Curzon Building, 4 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD, UK
| | - A Regan
- West Midlands Cystic Fibrosis Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - E F Nash
- West Midlands Cystic Fibrosis Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - G Fitch
- North West Midlands Cystic Fibrosis Centre, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
| | - M Mantzios
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Room C332, The Curzon Building, 4 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD, UK
| | - H Egan
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Room C332, The Curzon Building, 4 Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD, UK
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