Self-Compassion as a Moderator of the Association Between COVID-19 Stressors and Psychological Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in adverse psychological outcomes for many around the globe. Less is known however regarding dispositional traits that may protect against negative psychological outcomes. This study examined the prospective association between COVID-19 stressors and psychological...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behaviour change 2022-12, Vol.39 (4), p.263-274
Main Authors: Keng, Shian-Ling, Hwang, Emily Zhen Ning
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
College students
Community colleges
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Cronbach's alpha
Economic impact
Education
Health risk assessment
Health risks
Longitudinal studies
Mental depression
Mental health
Pandemics
Post traumatic stress disorder
Questionnaires
Self compassion
Shorter Communication
Young adults
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Summary:The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in adverse psychological outcomes for many around the globe. Less is known however regarding dispositional traits that may protect against negative psychological outcomes. This study examined the prospective association between COVID-19 stressors and psychological symptoms, and whether self-compassion (referring to a dispositional tendency of relating to oneself kindly) would moderate this association. A convenience sample of 212 university students and working adults (60.4% female; Mage = 20.92 years) based in Singapore completed measures assessing COVID-19 stressors (perceived COVID-19 health risk, economic impact, and impact on daily life), psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms), and self-compassion 2 months apart. Results indicated that perceived COVID-19 health risk at baseline predicted anxiety symptoms 2 months later, above and beyond baseline anxiety symptoms. Self-compassion moderated the association between perceived COVID-19 health risk and depressive symptoms, and the relationship between perceived impact on daily life and anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of self-compassion in alleviating psychological symptoms in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ISSN:0813-4839
2049-7768
DOI:10.1017/bec.2022.2