Lifespan perspective on self-compassion: Insights from age-groups and gender comparisons

• Autor(es): Tavares, L. ; Xavier, Ana ; Vagos, Paula ; Castilho, P. ; Cunha, M. ; Pinto-Gouveia, J.
• Data: 2025
• Identificador Persistente: Tavares, L., Xavier, A., Vagos, P., Castilho, P., Cunha, M., & Pinto-Gouveia, J. (2024). Lifespan perspective on self-compassion: Insights from age-groups and gender comparisons. Applied Developmental Science, (published online: 08 December 2024), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2024.2432864. Repositório Institucional UPT. https://hdl.handle.net/11328/6271
• Origem: Repositório da Universidade Portucalense
• Assunto(s): Lifespan; Self-compassion; Gender; Ciências Sociais - Psicologia
• Tipo de Documento: Artigo científico
• Idioma: Inglês

Descrição

Developmental stages present challenges that prepare the individual for new roles. Self-compassion may be a protective factor across this process. The present study aims to: (1) compare self-compassion scores in adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood, and older adulthood using a cross-sectional design and a continuous multigenerational sample; (2) study gender comparisons across age-groups; and (3) study gender comparisons within each age-group. The sample included 242 adolescents, 239 young adults, 208 adults, and 198 older adults. Participants answered the Self-Compassion Scale. Whereas Overall Self-compassion was similar for all age-groups, differences were found in Self-judgment, Common Humanity, Mindfulness, and Over-identification. Comparisons across age-groups for Isolation and Over-identification suggested that, as they age, female individuals develop self-compassion, whereas male individuals may struggle to be self-compassionate. Comparisons within age-groups suggested that, particularly, female adolescents and male adults may struggle the most to be self-compassionate. These findings may inform targeting specific needs, according to age and gender.