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. 2015 Feb 1:74:41-48.
doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.10.008.

Cognitions as mediators in the relationship between self-compassion and affect

Kohki Arimitsu  1 , Stefan G Hofmann  2
Affiliations

Cognitions as mediators in the relationship between self-compassion and affect

Kohki Arimitsu et al. Pers Individ Dif. .

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that self-compassion is related to numerous facets of mental health, but the role of cognitions in this relationship remains unknown. To examine the mediating role of cognitions in the relationship between self-compassion and anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction when controlling for self-esteem in Japanese people, we conducted two studies. Study 1 (N = 231) examined the relationship between self-compassion and affect by modeling negative automatic thoughts as a mediator; Study 2 (N = 233) tested whether positive and negative automatic thoughts meditate this relationship. Results suggested that both self-compassion and self-esteem increased positive automatic thoughts and decreased trait anxiety, whereas only self-esteem increased life satisfaction and decreased depression directly. Positive automatic thoughts increased life satisfaction and decreased depression and trait anxiety, and positive automatic thoughts mediated the relationship between self-compassion and negative affect. These findings suggest that both positive and negative automatic thoughts mediate the relationship between self-compassion and affect in Japanese people.

Keywords: Anxiety; Automatic thoughts; Depression; Life satisfaction; Self-compassion; Self-esteem.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Standardized parameter estimates of the structural equation model that negative automatic thoughts meditate the relationship between self-compassion, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. *p < .05, **p < .01.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Standardized parameter estimates of the structural equation model that positive and negative automatic thoughts meditate the relationship between self-compassion, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction. *p < .01.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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