The reciprocal relations among self‐compassion, and depression among adolescents after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake: A three‐wave cross‐lagged study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPrevious cross‐sectional studies have examined the relationship between self‐compassion and depression. Although it is often implicitly assumed that self‐compassion may increase the vulnerability of an individual to depression, only a few studies have assessed whether self‐compassion is a cause or a consequence of depression or both.MethodTo examine such reciprocal effects, we assessed self‐compassion and depression via self‐report measures. At the baseline assessment (Time 1, T1), 450 students (M = 13.72, SD = 0.83, 54.2% females) participated 10 months after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. We reassessed the T1 sample after 6‐ and 12‐month intervals. At Time 2 (T2) assessment, 398 (56.0% female participants) of the Wave 1 participants were retained, and at Time 3 (T3) assessment, 235 (52.5% female participants) of the T1 and T2 participants were retained.ResultsCross‐lagged analyses indicated that positive self‐compassion could significantly reduce subsequent depression. However, depression did not significantly predict later positive self‐compassion. Negative self‐compassion at T1 increased depression at T2, but negative self‐compassion at T2 did not significantly predict depression at T3. In addition, positive self‐compassion significantly reduced subsequent negative self‐compassion.ConclusionsPositive self‐compassion appears to protect adolescents against depression and maintain this protection over time, whereas negative self‐compassion may worsen depression in adolescents during the initial stages of traumatic events. Additionally, positive self‐compassion may decrease the level of negative self‐compassion.