Abstract
Objectives
Despite the well-established link between self-compassion and subjective well-being, little is understood about the mechanisms of this relationship. This study aimed to determine whether self-acceptance and meaning in life act as mediators between self-compassion and life satisfaction.
Method
Using a cross-sectional survey design, this study utilized a sample of 178 Filipino adults. A mediation analysis was run using participants’ responses to the Self-Compassion Scale, Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale.
Results
Self-acceptance was not a significant mediator (B = 0.12, SE = 0.19, 95% CI: [−0.296, 0.425]) while meaning in life had a significant mediating effect (B = 0.50, SE = 0.12, 95% CI: [0.271, 0.770]) between self-compassion and life satisfaction. When self-compassion was analyzed in terms of its components, the serial mediating effect of self-acceptance and meaning in life was found to be significant for common humanity (B = 0.18, SE = 0.09, 95% CI [0.036, 0.397]) and mindfulness (B = 0.17, SE = 0.08, 95% CI [0.032, 0.354]) but not for self-kindness (B = 0.09, SE = 0.07, 95% CI [−0.019, 0.259]).
Conclusions
These results contribute to the understanding of how overall and certain components of self-compassion predict life satisfaction. Focusing on meaning in life, and to a certain extent on self-acceptance, may potentially maximize the impact of self-compassion on life satisfaction.
Preregistration
This study is not preregistered.
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Data Availability
The data that support the findings of this study can be found in https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/RW2SXX.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the panelists, Dr. Lota A. Teh, Anne Marie D. Topacio, and Jofel D. Umandap and style reader, Angelique Pearl Virtue P. Villasanta, for their respective contribution to this study.
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Faye B. Zipagan: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, formal analysis, writing—original draft.
Lourdes Joy T. Galvez Tan: supervision.
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Zipagan, F.B., Galvez Tan, L.J.T. From Self-Compassion to Life Satisfaction: Examining the Mediating Effects of Self-Acceptance and Meaning in Life. Mindfulness 14, 2145–2154 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02183-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02183-8