Analysis of the Predictive Role of Self-Compassion on Emotional Distress during Covid-19 Lockdown

Bibliographic Data

ID5935692
AuthorsMaría Elena Gutiérrez-Hernández (0000-0003-0516-2546, Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria, corresponding author), Luisa Fernanda Fanjul Rodríguez, Luisa F Fanjul (0009-0000-1982-055X, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), Alicia Díaz Megolla, Alicia Díaz (0000-0001-6976-0647, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), Cristián Oyanadel (0000-0001-8423-6982, University of Concepción), Wenceslao Peñate (0000-0001-9168-9920, Universidad de La Laguna)
Year2022
Volume11
Issue4
Pages151
Publication date2022-03-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2076-0760 • E-ISSN: 2076-0760
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/socsci11040151
OpenAlexW4221102975
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited87

Research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a mental health burden worldwide. Most studies have focused on the factors associated with a higher risk of mental health problems, and only a few studies have looked at the potential protective factors. The general objective of this study was to determine whether self-compassion has a protective effect against the risk of mental health problems and especially on perceived infectability. If so, we intended to determine which of the three specific facets of self-compassion (i.e., mindfulness vs. over-identification; self-kindness vs. self-judgment; common humanity vs. isolation;) has the greatest weight in predicting emotional distress. We conducted a cross-sectional study through an online survey completed by 855 participants in Spain. Results confirmed that the three facets of self-compassion reduce the negative correlation between perceived infectability and emotional distress, diminishing its role in predicting emotional distress. These results are discussed in relation to the protective role of self-compassion and the need to further explore the variables associated with a lower risk of mental problems derived from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Distress · Empathy · Mental distress · Mental health · Mindfulness · Psychiatry · Self-compassion · Social isolation · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology