Open Access

ARTICLE

Self-Compassion Moderates the Effect of Contingent Self-Esteem on Well-Being: Evidence from Cross-Sectional Survey and Experiment

Ruirui Zhang¹, Xuguang Zhang², Minxin Yang³, Haoran Zhang^4,5,*

1 Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, Shanghai, 201620, China
2 School of Communication Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
3 School of Languages, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, Shanghai, 201620, China
4 School of Computer Science and Information Technology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130117, China
5 Library, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China

* Corresponding Author: Haoran Zhang. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mental Health and Social Development)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2024, 26(2), 117-126. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2023.045819

Received 08 September 2023; Accepted 13 December 2023; Issue published 08 March 2024

Abstract

Contingent self-esteem captures the fragile nature of self-esteem and is often regarded as suboptimal to psychological functioning. Self-compassion is another important self-related concept assumed to promote mental health and well-being. However, research on the relation of self-compassion to contingent self-esteem is lacking. Two studies were conducted to explore the role of self-compassion, either as a personal characteristic or an induced mindset, in influencing the effects of contingent self-esteem on well-being. Study 1 recruited 256 Chinese college students (30.4% male, mean age = 21.72 years) who filled out measures of contingent self-esteem, self-compassion, and well-being. The results found that self-compassion moderated the effect of contingent self-esteem on well-being. In Study 2, a sample of 90 Chinese college students (34% male, mean age = 18.39 years) were randomly assigned to either a control or self-compassion group. They completed baseline trait measures of contingent self-esteem, self-compassion, and self-esteem. Then, they were led to have a 12-min break (control group) or listen to a 12-min self-compassion audio (self-compassion group), followed by a social stress task and outcome measures. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the brief self-compassion training and its moderating role in influencing the effects of contingent self-esteem on negative affects after the social stress task. This research provides implications that to equip with a self-compassionate mindset could lower the risk of the impairment of well-being associated with elements of contingent self-esteem, which involves a fragile sense of self-worth. It may also provide insights into the development of an “optimal self-esteem” and the improvement of well-being.

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Keywords

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