Keywords
Mental health
Filipino college students
Quality of Life
How to Cite
Abstract
The relationship between self-compassion and quality of life (QoL) was examined using a descriptive-correlational approach in a sample of 400 Filipino college students (n=400; 200 males, 200 females). Self-report data from the Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form (SCS-SF) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) Scale were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Findings reveal that the majority of college students (56.8%) scored below the midpoint of SCS-SF scores, suggesting relatively lower levels of self-compassion. A One-Way ANOVA revealed no significant sex differences in self-compassion levels (F(1, 363) = 0.314, p = 0.576). However, MANOVA confirmed a positive relationship between self-compassion and quality of life domains (Pillai’s Trace = 0.137, (F(4, 395) = 15.7, p < .001). These findings address the population gap in self-compassion studies, by demonstrating an association between self-compassion and quality of life among Filipino youth.References
Ahmed, S. K. (2024). How to choose a sampling technique and determine sample size for research: A simplified guide for researchers. Oral Oncology Reports, 12, 100662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oor.2024.100662
Alibudbud, R. (2021a). Academic Experiences as Determinants of Anxiety and Depression of Filipino College Students in Metro Manila. Youth Voice Journal.
Alibudbud, R. (2021b). On online learning and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives from the Philippines. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 66, 102867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102867
Argao, R. C. C., Reyes, M. E. S., & Delariarte, C. F. (2021). Mental health literacy and mental health of Filipino College students. North American Journal of Psychology, 23(3), 437–452.
Aruta, J. J. B. R., Maria, A., & Mascarenhas, J. (2023). Self-compassion promotes mental help-seeking in older, not in younger, counselors. Current Psychology, 42(22), 18615–18625. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03054-6
Ateş, C., Kaymaz, Ö., Kale, H. E., & Tekindal, M. A. (2019). Comparison of Test Statistics of Nonnormal and Unbalanced Samples for Multivariate Analysis of Variance in terms of Type-I Error Rates. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 2019, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2173638
August, K. J., Malik, D., Markey, C. H., Woods, K., & Gerwitz, G. C. (2023). Additive and interactive associations among body appreciation, self-compassion, and gender in understanding college students’ health behaviors. Body Image, 47, 101634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101634
Bangalan, S. G., & Agnes, M. C. A. (2024). A mixed-methods study on the assessment of the mental health concerns among university students in the Philippines. Current Psychology, 43(22), 19804–19819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05777-0
Bobbit, Z. (2021a). What is Pillai’s Trace? (Definition & Example). Statology. https://www.statology.org/pillais-trace/
Bobbit, Z. (2021b, August 3). The Complete Guide: How to Check MANOVA Assumptions. Statology. https://www.statology.org/manova-assumptions/
Cleofas, J. V. (2020). Student involvement, mental health and quality of life of college students in a selected university in Manila, Philippines. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 435–447. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1670683
Conversano, C., Ciacchini, R., Orrù, G., Di Giuseppe, M., Gemignani, A., & Poli, A. (2020). Mindfulness, Compassion, and Self-Compassion Among Health Care Professionals: What’s New? A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1683. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01683
Ewert, C., Vater, A., & Schröder-Abé, M. (2021). Self-Compassion and Coping: A Meta-Analysis. Mindfulness, 12(5), 1063–1077. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01563-8
Ferrari, M., Beath, A., Einstein, D. A., Yap, K., & Hunt, C. (2023). Gender differences in self-compassion: A latent profile analysis of compassionate and uncompassionate self-relating in a large adolescent sample. Current Psychology, 42(28), 24132–24147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03408-0
Galanza, M. A. M. C., Aruta, J. J. B. R., Mateo, N. J., Resurreccion, R. R., & Bernardo, A. B. I. (2023). Mental health of Filipino university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: The distinct associations of fear of COVID-19 and financial difficulties. Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 40(1), 125–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/20590776.2021.1999168
Guillermo, M. H. C., Reyes, M. E. S., & Delariarte, C. F. (2024). Self-Compassion: A Moderator Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Negative Identity Development Among Lesbian and Gay Filipino Youth. North American Journal of Psychology, 26(3).
Helminen, E. C., Scheer, J. R., & Felver, J. C. (2021). Gender Differences in the Associations Between Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Perceived Stress Reactivity. Mindfulness, 12(9), 2173–2183. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01672-y
Hodgetts, J., McLaren, S., Bice, B., & Trezise, A. (2021). The relationships between self-compassion, rumination, and depressive symptoms among older adults: The moderating role of gender. Aging & Mental Health, 25(12), 2337–2346. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2020.1824207
JASP Team. (2024). JASP [Computer software].
Jennings, R. E., Lanaj, K., & Kim, Y. J. (Yj). (2023). Self‐compassion at work: A self‐regulation perspective on its beneficial effects for work performance and wellbeing. Personnel Psychology, 76(1), 279–309. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12504
Keyes, J., Yankouskaya, A., & Panourgia, C. (2023). Self-compassion, coping strategies and gender differences in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy practitioners during COVID-19: Lessons learnt. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 23(4), 1052–1062. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12574
Lathren, C. R., Rao, S. S., Park, J., & Bluth, K. (2021). Self-Compassion and Current Close Interpersonal Relationships: A Scoping Literature Review. Mindfulness, 12(5), 1078–1093. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01566-5
Li, A., Wang, S., Cai, M., Sun, R., & Liu, X. (2021). Self-compassion and life-satisfaction among Chinese self-quarantined residents during COVID-19 pandemic: A moderated mediation model of positive coping and gender. Personality and Individual Differences, 170, 110457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110457
Licayan, R. J., Chierife C, F., Mary, P, L., Gary, & Kim, C., Robert. (2021). Academic Stress Level Determination among College Students in Times of Covid-19 Pandemic: Basis for an Intervention Scheme. International Journal of Asian Education, 2(3), 313–326. https://doi.org/10.46966/ijae.v2i3.119
Liu, A., Wang, W., Wu, X., & Xu, B. (2023). Relationship between self-compassion and nonsuicidal self-injury in middle school students after earthquake: Gender differences in the mediating effects of gratitude and posttraumatic growth. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 15(7), 1203–1213. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001423
Long, P., & Neff, K. D. (2018). Self-compassion is associated with reduced self-presentation concerns and increased student communication behavior. Learning and Individual Differences, 67, 223–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2018.09.003
MANOVA (Multivariate Analysis of Variance). (2023, November 5). GeeksforGeeks. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/manova-multivariate-analysis-of-variance/
Neff, K. (2003). Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032
Neff, K. D. (2003). The Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Self-Compassion. Self and Identity, 2, 223–250.
O’Loughlin, E. K., Marashi, M., Beer, S., Sabiston, C. M., Nesbitt, A. E., O’Rourke, R. H., Sylvestre, M.-P., & O’Loughlin, J. L. (2024). Factors associated with low self-compassion in young adults. Canadian Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-024-00965-8
Phillips, W. J., & Hine, D. W. (2021). Self-compassion, physical health, and health behaviour: A meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review, 15(1), 113–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2019.1705872
Puciato, D., Rozpara, M., Bugdol, M., Borys, T., & Słaby, T. (2023). Quality of life of low-income adults. Work, 74(2), 631–648. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-211110
Ryan, R. M., & Vansteenkiste, M. (2023). Self-Determination Theory: Metatheory, Methods, and Meaning. In R. M. Ryan (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of self-determination theory. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197600047.001.0001
Sheldon, E., Simmonds-Buckley, M., Bone, C., Mascarenhas, T., Chan, N., Wincott, M., Gleeson, H., Sow, K., Hind, D., & Barkham, M. (2021). Prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in university undergraduate students: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 287, 282–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.03.054
Shireen, N. T., & Luke, J. M. (2023). Self-Compassion and Hope Among College Students Based on Gender. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.25215/1104.227
Tan, J. S. T. (2023). The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between trait perfectionism and psychological resilience among Filipino university students. Cogent Psychology, 10(1), 2168424. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2023.2168424
The jamovi project (Version 2.6). (2024). [Computer Software]. https://www.jamovi.org
The Whoqol Group. (1998). Development of the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Assessment. Psychological Medicine, 28(3), 551–558. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291798006667
Wang, X., & Cheng, Z. (2020). Cross-Sectional Studies. Chest, 158(1), S65–S71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.03.012
WHOQOL: Measuring Quality of Life. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved December 31, 2024, from https://www.who.int/tools/whoqol
Yarnell, L. M., Neff, K. D., Davidson, O. A., & Mullarkey, M. (2019). Gender Differences in Self-Compassion: Examining the Role of Gender Role Orientation. Mindfulness, 10(6), 1136–1152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1066-1
Zhao, T., Yang, Y., & Cui, L. (2024). How Self-Compassion Components Develop in Adolescents? Evidence from Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analysis with Gender Considerations. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 19(5), 2767–2784. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-024-10355-4