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Investigating the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Health-Promoting Behaviours: Age and Gender Differences

Year: 2023
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Factors associated with health-promoting behaviours are worth investigating, given their association with positive health outcomes. Emerging research has linked self-compassion with health-promoting behaviours. This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-compassion and its subscales, using the Self-Compassion Scale, and health-promoting behaviours (nutrition, physical activity and stress management), using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. From a 144 community sample, self-compassion positively correlated with all three health-promoting behaviours, with stress management generating the strongest correlation. Self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness had a significant positive medium correlation with stress management and had either a non-significant small or no correlation with nutrition and physical activity. Self-judgement, isolation and over-identification had a significant negative medium correlation with stress management and either a small or no correlation with nutrition and physical activity. Isolation yielded the strongest negative correlation with all three health-promoting behaviours. Differences in self-compassion based on demographic information was also reported. Men scored significantly higher than women and people aged 40-64 scored substantially higher than people aged 18-29. Results suggest that self-compassionate people engage in more health-promoting behaviours, particularly stress management behaviours. Self-compassion interventions may be appropriate for promoting health behaviours, particularly group-based interventions which potentially minimise feelings of isolation.
Source: NORMA
Author: Brady, Georgina
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7010599514
Cites: 123
Cited by:
Related to: 10