Does self-compassion protect adolescents who are victimized or suffer from academic difficulties from depression?

• Published in: European journal of developmental psychology 2020-05, Vol.17 (3), p.432-446
• Main Authors: Lahtinen, Oskari, Järvinen, Elina, Kumlander, Sonja, Salmivalli, Christina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: academic difficulties; depression; Mental depression; Self compassion; self-coldness; Teenagers; Victimization
• ISSN: 1740-5629; 1740-5610
• DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2019.1662290

Adolescents face many social and academic difficulties which, if not managed properly, can lead to depression. Self-compassion, a kind and caring orientation towards oneself, has emerged as a possible resilience factor alleviating depression. Self-compassion comprises two factors: self-compassion and self-coldness. The present study set out to investigate whether self-compassion weakens or self-coldness strengthens the association between depression and two difficult circumstances: victimization and academic difficulties (ADs). The sample consisted of 2383 students who had recently made the transition to upper secondary education. The study was cross-sectional and employed a hierarchical regression analysis approach. Strongest interactions were followed up with simple slope analysis. Self-compassion (inversely), self-coldness, ADs, and victimization were statistically significant predictors of depression. Self-compassion weakened the association between ADs and depression. The results suggest encountering difficulties in adolescence and depression are related and that self-compassion may moderate the association.