Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Compassion for Others: The Role of Psychological Distress and Wellbeing


"The findings do support existing theories that link self-compassion to the ability to receive compassion from others, which is often fostered through secure attachment relationships. These relationships can then reduce stress and promote psychological well-being."

What is the relationship between self-compassion and compassion for others? Interestingly, this relationship appears to be influenced by an individualā€™s mental health. A team of scientists in Spain explored this intriguing question by comparing two primary scientific measures of compassion. They also investigated how these operational definitionsā€”or scientific frameworks for understanding compassionā€”related to individuals’ levels of distress and overall well-being.

The study recruited over 800 participants from Spain and assessed various factors, including self-compassion, compassion for others, overall compassion, well-being, depression, and anxiety. By analyzing these variables, the researchers sought to uncover the unique relationships between them. Their findings revealed that self-compassion and compassion for others are indeed related but represent distinct constructs. Interestingly, self-compassion showed a stronger correlation with individuals’ levels of distress and well-being than compassion for others.

Photo by Henri Pham Via Unsplash
Photo by Henri Pham Via Unsplash

A significant correlation between self-compassion and compassion for others was observed in participants reporting better mental health, including lower distress and higher well-being. This finding supports previous research indicating that individuals with good mental health tend to demonstrate stronger self-compassion.

The correlational nature of this study does not allow for causal conclusions, despite the valuable empirical evidence comparing self-compassion and compassion for others. However, the findings do support existing theories that link self-compassion to the ability to receive compassion from others, which is often fostered through secure attachment relationships. These relationships can then reduce stress and promote psychological well-being.

The research offers a foundational understanding but invites further exploration. Future studies could examine these relationships through experimental interventions or clinical populations to clarify the interplay between self-compassion, compassion for others, and mental health.

Ritika Kureel

Ritika Kureel holds a Masterā€™s degree in Clinical Psychology from Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India. With a passion for understanding the complexities of the human mind, she is dedicated to applying her skills to support mental well-being. Ritika currently serves as a counselor in an organization that collaborates with Teach for India, where she helps guide young minds toward better emotional health. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, which brings her joy and balance.

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