Self-Compassion Facets as Mediators of the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Well-Being: A Path Analysis Approach


Por: Navarrete J, Mateo-Canedo C, Pérez A, Russo S, Ardenghi S, Zorzi F, Rampoldi G, Strepparava MG, Montero J and Bani M

Publicada: 1 nov 2025 Ahead of Print: 28 nov 2025
Resumen:
Self-esteem and self-compassion are both associated with psychological well-being, but they differ in their underlying mechanisms. Some studies have found that self-compassion mediates the relationship between self-esteem and well-being, yet they have overlooked the distinct roles of its cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This study examined whether specific self compassion facets mediate the relationship between self-esteem and well-being, using the Italian adaptation of the Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales (SOCS), whose psychometric properties were also assessed. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 408 Italian high school and undergraduate healthcare students. Participants completed the SOCS, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. The Italian SOCS was psychometrically evaluated through confirmatory factor analyses and showed good validity and reliability. Correlations and path analyses were used to examine the mediating roles of cognitive, affective, and behavioral self-compassion facets. Emotional and behavioral components of self-compassion - such as "feeling for one's suffering", "tolerating uncomfortable feelings", and "acting to alleviate suffering" - significantly mediated the link between self-esteem and well-being. These facets accounted for 39% of its variance, while cognitive components did not show significant effects. These findings highlight the importance of affective and behavioral self-compassion in therapeutic interventions, emphasizing their role in enhancing well-being.

Filiaciones:
Navarrete J:
 Teaching, Research & Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain

 CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain

Mateo-Canedo C:
 Department of Basic Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain

Pérez A:
 CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain

 Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain

Russo S:
 School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

Ardenghi S:
 School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

 Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy

Zorzi F:
 School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

 Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy

 Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

Rampoldi G:
 School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

Strepparava MG:
 School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

 Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy

Montero J:
 Teaching, Research & Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain

 CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain

 Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom

Bani M:
 School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
ISSN: 18410413





Europes Journal of Psychology
Editorial
PSYCHOPEN, UNIVERSITAETSRING 15, TRIER 54296, GERMANY, Rumania
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 21 Número: 4
Páginas: 378-391
WOS Id: 001668086700002
ID de PubMed: 41726343
imagen Green Submitted, Green Published, gold

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