A State-Trait Approach to Self-Compassion: Is It a Schema or a State of Mind?

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Self-compassion has been described as an adaptive psychological domain that allows individuals to be kind to themselves and to others when confronted with personal flaws and inadequacies. In the face of a situation of suffering caused by oneself or/and others, self-compassion facilitates feelings of warmth, caring and affection, which signal an emotional need to overcome emotional distress. Previous research has associated self-compassion with psychological well-being, life satisfaction and psychological flexibility, and the regulation of psychological needs, suggesting that self-compassion can be seen as an adaptive self-domain. In addition, self-compassion measured as a psychological trait was associated with mindfulness and self-acceptance traits, and measured as a state of mind, was associated with early maladaptive schemas. In this sense, self-compassion can function as both: a psychological trait and a state. However, this distinction does not seem clear. Therefore, this chapter aims to contribute to that clarification by reviewing recent findings from a trait/state perspective based on a development schema theory combined with a state of mind approach. Suggestions for future research are also outlined to clarify whether selfcompassion might be better conceptualized as a trait and/or as psychological state.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Importance of Self-Efficacy and Self-Compassion
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages91-105
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9781685077907
ISBN (Print)9781685077631
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2022

Keywords

  • psychological schemas
  • self-compassion
  • states of mind

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A State-Trait Approach to Self-Compassion: Is It a Schema or a State of Mind?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this