Investigating the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Health-Promoting Behaviours: Age and Gender Differences

Brady, Georgina (2023) Investigating the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Health-Promoting Behaviours: Age and Gender Differences. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Factors associated with health-promoting behaviours are worth investigating, given their association with positive health outcomes. Emerging research has linked self-compassion with health-promoting behaviours. This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-compassion and its subscales, using the Self-Compassion Scale, and health-promoting behaviours (nutrition, physical activity and stress management), using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. From a 144 community sample, self-compassion positively correlated with all three health-promoting behaviours, with stress management generating the strongest correlation. Self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness had a significant positive medium correlation with stress management and had either a non-significant small or no correlation with nutrition and physical activity. Self-judgement, isolation and over-identification had a significant negative medium correlation with stress management and either a small or no correlation with nutrition and physical activity. Isolation yielded the strongest negative correlation with all three health-promoting behaviours. Differences in self-compassion based on demographic information was also reported. Men scored significantly higher than women and people aged 40-64 scored substantially higher than people aged 18-29. Results suggest that self-compassionate people engage in more health-promoting behaviours, particularly stress management behaviours. Self-compassion interventions may be appropriate for promoting health behaviours, particularly group-based interventions which potentially minimise feelings of isolation.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Supervisors:	Name Email Kracen, Amanda UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Cognitive psychology Q Science > QP Physiology > Nutrition R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine > Personal Health and Hygiene > Stress Management
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	31 May 2023 15:21
Last Modified:	31 May 2023 15:21
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/6690

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