Self-compassion and Physical Health: Exploring the Roles of Perceived Stress and Health-promoting Behaviors

Overview

Journal Health Psychol Open

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Psychology

Date 2018 Jan 31

PMID 29379620

Citations 26

Authors

Kristin J Homan

Fuschia M Sirois

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Growing evidence indicates that self-compassion is associated with better physical health, but the pathways that mediate this relationship are not well understood. This study tested a serial mediation model that linked self-compassion, perceived stress, health behaviors, and a comprehensive index of physical health. A sample of 176 individuals completed an online survey posted on Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Self-compassion had an indirect effect on physical health via both mediators and through the sequential pathway, suggesting that taking a kind, accepting and mindful stance toward one's flaws and failures may have benefits for reducing stress and promoting health behaviors.

Citing Articles

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Be kind, don't rewind: trait rumination may hinder the effects of self-compassion on health behavioral intentions after a body image threat.

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