Relationship between self-compassion and Compassion for others

Abstract

Self-compassion and compassion for others are the concepts of positive psychology that are studied extensively in the past decade. However, little is known about their association with each other. Compassion is an affective response of sorrow when suffering is perceived and requires genuine desire to relieve the suffering. Selfcompassion is the extension of compassion towards oneself in difficult times. The study aims to find association between self-compassion and compassion for others and to explore the differences in compassion for others based on gender and age. Neff’s Self-compassion-short form and compassion for others, scales were used. a sample consisted of 222 participants. Pearson correlation and t-tests were computed. The results presented a significant correlation between self-compassion and compassion for others while no significant differences were found among participants in their compassion for others based on gender and age. Limitation of the study and suggestions for further research are discussed.