Investigating the Relationship Between Flourishing and Self-Compassion: a Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between flourishing and self-compassion. Participants were 347 (194 female and 153 male) university students, between age range of 18-24, who completed a questionnaire package that included the Flourishing Scale and the Self-compassion Scale. The relationships between flourishing and self-compassion were examined using correlation analysis and the hypothesis model was tested through structural equation modeling. In correlation analysis, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness factors of self-compassion were found positively and self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification factors of self-compassion were found negatively related to flourishing. The model demonstrated fit (x(2) = 37.12, x(2)/df = 4.12, RMSEA = .095, SRMR = .074, GFI = .97, AGFI = .91, CFI = .97, and NFI = .96). According to path analysis results, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness were predicted positively by flourishing. Further, flourishing predicted self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification in a negative way. Results were discussed in the light of the related literature.