Initial Risk Factors, Self-compassion Trajectories, and Well-being Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Person-centered Approach

Overview

Journal Front Psychol

Date 2023 Feb 27

PMID 36846478

Authors

Hali Kil

Eric Lacourse

Genevieve A Mageau

Mathieu Pelletier-Dumas

Anna Dorfman

Dietlind Stolle

Jean-Marc Lina

Roxane de la Sablonniere

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated whether initial risk classes and heterogeneous trajectories of self-compassion over the course of the pandemic may impact well-being outcomes 1 year into the pandemic.

Methods: A large, representative sample of Canadians ( = 3,613; 50.6% women) was sampled longitudinally over 11 waves (April 2020-April 2021), using a rolling cross-sectional survey design. Analyses were conducted in three steps: (1) latent class analysis to identify heterogeneity in risk factors (sociodemographic, cognitive-personality, health-related) early in the pandemic, (2) latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to identify longitudinal self-compassion trajectories, and (3) GLM to examine effects of risk factor classes and self-compassion trajectories, as well as their interaction, on later well-being (mental health, perceived control, life satisfaction).

Results And Discussion: Four risk factor classes emerged, with 50.9% of participants experiencing low risk, 14.3% experiencing multiple risks, 20.8% experiencing Cognitive-Personality and Health risks, and 14.0% experiencing sociodemographic and Cognitive-Personality risks. Four self-compassion trajectories also emerged, with 47.7% of participants experiencing moderate-high self-compassion that decreased then stabilized, 32.0% experiencing moderate self-compassion that decreased then stabilized, 17.3% experiencing high and stable self-compassion across time, and 3.0% experiencing low and decreasing self-compassion. Comparisons of well-being outcomes 1 year post-pandemic indicated that higher levels of self-compassion over time may protect against the impact of initial risk on well-being outcomes. Further work is still needed on heterogeneity in experiences of risk and protective factors during stressful life events.

Citing Articles

Understanding the interplay between social isolation, age, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jarry F, Dorfman A, Pelletier-Dumas M, Lina J, Stolle D, Lacourse E Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):239.

PMID: 39747124 PMC: 11696544. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-81519-3.

Trajectories of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic: A person-oriented multi-trajectory approach.

Wollast R, Lacourse E, Mageau G, Pelletier-Dumas M, Dorfman A, Dupere V PLoS One. 2023; 18(12):e0292522.

PMID: 38109431 PMC: 10727429. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292522.

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