Chandra: Self-Compassion and Resilience among College Students 240
Original Research Article
Study of Self-Compassion and Resilience among College
Students
Surbhi Chandra
[Link]. Clinical Psychology, Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Sciences, Amity University, Haryana
Corresponding author: Surbhi Chandra
Email – surbhichandra24@[Link]
ABSTRACT
Background: The difficulties faced during early childhood can be cushioned against by psychological
factors. The aim of the study was to find out the relationship between resilience and self-compassion among
young adults and to find out gender difference on the two variables.
Methodology: Data was collected from 62 early adults and data was analysed using Mann Whitney-U test
and Spearman correlation statistical techniques.
Result: According to the results, no gender difference existed on either of the variables. Along with this self-
compassion and resilience were found to have a positive correlation among early adults. However, this
correlation was not found in males alone but was found among females.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, if young adults are taught about these traits, their transition
can be made easier and smoother.
Key words: Self-compassion, Resilience, Early adults
(Paper received – 28th June 2021, Peer review completed – 15th August 2021, Accepted – 18th August 2021)
INTRODUCTION
Early adulthood as described by Erik Erickson is the period between 19-40 years of age. It is marked by
social dilemma "intimacy versus isolation" and the related virtue is love during this period, an individual
looks for affiliation and love from his or her partner. Therefore, this period is important from social
perspective when he is trying to establish himself and looking for external support.
Individuals in this age group undergo a transition from the disciplinarian environment of school to a
relatively different surrounding. It is thus necessary to understand the dynamics of their psychological
aspects and ways to enhance them.
Self-Compassion
The self-concept was first identified operationally and implemented a decade and a half ago in the
psychological literature [1]. A self-compassionate mentality is thought to reflect the equilibrium between
increased compassionate and reduced uncompassionate self-reply in the face of personal inadequacy or
difficulties in life: increased self-kindness, shared empathy and knowledge, reduced self-judgment, loneliness
and over-identification [2]. Self-kindness includes being moist, compassionate and thorough toward oneself.
Human culture requires accepting the common human nature of imperfection, recognizing that all human
beings struggle and make errors. Mindfulness involves being aware with equanimity and balance of one's
present moment of suffering. Self-judgment requires sharp criticism of one's own shortcomings. In the sense
of suffering loneliness means feeling isolated. Over-identification happens when one's pain is combined to
the extent where perspective is lost. The different components of self-compassion are conceptually distinct
and rely on various ways that individuals respond to suffering emotionally (with more empathy and less
Indian Journal of Mental Health 2022; 9(3)
Chandra: Self-Compassion and Resilience among College Students 241
judgment), perceive suffering cognitively (as part of human experience rather than as isolating), and pay
attention to suffering (in a more aware and less over-identified manner) [3]. While the six components of
self-compassion are separable, they are thought to impact each other collectively and to function as a
network [2].
Resilience
The term resilience has been conceptualized through a number of fields, including engineering, ecology,
economics, and psychology, in separate but connected ways. Psychological resilience has been described as
a psychosocial dynamic process in which individuals who are subjected to prolonged hardship or potentially
traumatic events experience positive psychological adaptation over time. Psychological resilience has been
defined by field experts as involving cross-level interaction of protective mechanisms, including factors such
as supporting family and relationships, successful coping skills, culture, and neurobiology. Resilience was
also defined and measured as a collection of features which facilitates positive adaptation.
For older adults this research by Smith [4] explores the relationship between self-compassion and
psychological resilience. A sample of 102 (69 per cent female) older adults living in an independent
retirement care group (CCRC) took part in this study. They finished a survey measuring self-compassion,
perceived stress, overall health, satisfaction, and depression. In older adults with lower self-compassion there
is expected lower rates of satisfaction and higher rates of depression, high stress and poor health. Such
adverse effects were buffered by greater self-compassion. Older adults with greater self-compassion
demonstrated greater psychological well-being even though they were still under high stress or poor health.
The research done by Gooding et al [4] aimed to examine psychological resilience in older adults (> 64
years) relative to young adults (< 26 years). Result concluded that the older adults were the more resilient
community particularly in terms of the ability to control emotions and solve problems. The youngsters were
more resilient to social assistance. Bad perceptions of general health and low energy levels forecasted low
resilience rates regardless of age. Low scores for hopelessness also projected greater resilience in both classes.
The study done by Kemper et al [5] examined the relationship between trainable qualities (mindfulness and
self-compassion), with factors conceptually related to burnout and quality of care (sleep and resilience) in
young health professionals and trainees. They took their sample of 213 clinicians and trainees. Results
showed that respondents were 28 years old on average; 73 per cent were women. The occupations included
dieticians (11%), nurses (14%), doctors (38%), social workers (24%), and others (12%). For all variables
univariate analyzes demonstrated normative values. Sleep disruptions were strongly and significantly
associated with perceived stress and poorer health but also with reduced attentiveness and self-compassion.
A similar research by Neff and Vonk [6] explored the unusual influence of self-compassion on optimistic
states alone (when adjusting for self-esteem). Neff and Vonk [6] sought to distinguish the positions of self-
compassion and self-esteem to investigate whether self-esteem really is the predictor of "psychological
wellbeing" commonly assumed by researchers. Results from this research showed that self-compassion,
when accounting for self-esteem, predicted a remarkable variation in levels of confidence, satisfaction and
optimistic mood.
Tanwar and Garg [7] conducted a study to find out gender difference on depression, anxiety, stress and self-
compassion among college faculties in Delhi and Meerut. According to the results, the two genders did not
differ on any of the variables. Along with this, they also found a significant positive relationship among
depression, anxiety and stress, but no correlation with self-compassion among male college faculties. As
opposed to this, self-compassion was significantly related to depression in the negative direction.
The study done by Bluth [8] in which self-compassion was explored as a possible mediator in the relationship
between mindfulness and dimensions of emotional well-being, identified by the three components of self-
kindness, feeling a part of a shared humanity, and retaining balance in difficult circumstances. Parameters
measuring tolerance, self-compassion, positive and negative effects, life satisfaction and perceived tension
consisted of an online survey administered to 67 urban high school teenagers. Results suggested that self-
compassion served as a mediator in the relationship between awareness and both negative and perceived
stress, but not in the relationship between awareness and positive impact or satisfaction with life.
Indian Journal of Mental Health 2022; 9(3)
Chandra: Self-Compassion and Resilience among College Students 242
Rationale of the Study
During the early adulthood phase, students undergo a transition from school to University. They try to adapt
to a new environment, especially those who live away from their parents. They spend more time among
their peers. Therefore, it is necessary to understand psychological well-being of college going population and
aid faculties and parents to recognise and remedy any early signs of distress.
METHODOLOGY
Objectives
• To find out the difference between male and female college students on Self-Compassion and
Resilience.
• To find out the relationship between self-compassion and resilience among college students, both
male and female.
• To find out the relationship between self-compassion and resilience among female college
students.
• To find out the relationship between self-compassion and resilience among male college
students.
Hypotheses
• H1 There is a significant difference between male and female college students on Self-
Compassion.
• H2 There is a significant difference between male and female college students on Resilience.
• H3 There is a significant correlation between self-compassion and resilience among college
students of both the genders.
• H4 There is a significant correlation between self-compassion and resilience among female
college students.
• H5 There is a significant correlation between self-compassion and resilience among male college
students
Design of study: The present study is non-experimental, correlational, cross-sectional and quantitative in
nature.
Sample: Data was collected on 62 college students in Delhi and NCR through convenience sampling
comprising of 33 females and 29 males. The age range of the population was 18 to 40 years. The study
included full time students.
Tools
In this study, following two questionnaires were used to collect the data –
Self-Compassion Scale (SCS): Self-Compassion Scale was developed by Neff [1]. It consists of 26 items
self-report measure assessing self-evaluations. The scale represents emotions, behaviours and thoughts
related to the various components of self-compassion. It consists of 6 sub-scales that measure how often
people respond to feelings of inadequacy or suffering. Responses are given on a 5-point Likert's scale ranging
from 1 "almost never" to 5 "always" with higher scores indicating higher levels of the construct measured.
Internal consistency the whole scale's three-week test-retest reliability was.92, while the test-retest reliability
for the subscales ranged from 0.80 to 0.88. When validity analyses were done, positive associations with
measures of social connectedness, life satisfaction, self-esteem and emotional processing was revealed.
Negative associations with measures of psychological distress, self-criticism, neurotic perfectionism, and
rumination was found. For the purpose of this study, self-compassion scale was taken as a whole.
Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10-Item: The CD-RISC 10 is a 10-item unidimensional self-reported
scale that measures items measuring resilience. It is a shortened version of the original 25-item CD-RISC
[10-11].
Indian Journal of Mental Health 2022; 9(3)
Chandra: Self-Compassion and Resilience among College Students 243
Procedure
The Researcher used both offline and online medium to collect the data Once the questionnaire was
compiled and printouts were taken participants were approached in library and in class rooms. The study
was explained to them briefly and confidentiality was ensured. They were told that their participation was
completely voluntary and they can walk out of the study anytime they wished. Consent was drawn from the
interested students and the printed form was given to them in the printed form.
Thus the total sample consisted of 62 participants (29 males and 33 females).
Data Analysis
Each of the two questionnaires was scored separately according to the guidelines laid down by the author.
During the analysis, non-parametric statistical techniques were employed using Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS), Mann Whitney U test and Spearman Correlation techniques were used.
Result and Discussion
The aim of the study was to find out gender difference between males and females on self-compassion and
resilience. Along with this the relationship between these variables was also computed among young adults,
male and female college students.
Table 1: Comparison between males and females on Study Variables
Variables Group N Mean Rank Sum of Mann p- value
Ranks Whitney U
Self- Male 29 34.00 986.00 406.000 .306
Compassion Female 33 29.30 967.00
Resilience Male 29 32.79 951.00 441.000 .596
Female 33 30.36 1002.00
According to table no. 1 no significant difference between males and females is observed on self-compassion.
Although the difference is not significant it can be said that male college students (M = 34.00) are more
compassionate towards self than female college students (M = 29.30). Similar results were found in the study
done by Yarnell, et al (2015) that represents one of the first comprehensive analyzes of possible gender
disparities in self-compassion using meta-analytic approaches, and how such gender differences are
moderated by age or ethnic minority status. Results showed that males had significantly higher self-
compassion levels than females.
There was no significant difference between the two genders on resilience as well however according to the
mean ranks male college students were found to be more resilient (M = 32.79) than females (M = 30.36).
Similar results were found in the research done by Masood el al (2016) which examined the gender
differences in resilience and psychological distress in burn patients. The research sample consisted of 50 burn
patients, collected from four separate Lahore hospitals. The findings revealed that men with burns are more
resilient than women.
Table 2: Descriptive and Correlations of Study Variables in Early adults
Variables N M SD 1 2
Self-Compassion 62 84 14 -
Resilience 62 28.58 7.39 .488** -
**p<0.01.
According to table 2 there is a significant positive correlation between self-compassion and resilience r(60)
= .488, p = .00. This means that an increase in self-compassion will lead to an increase in resilience and vice
versa.
Indian Journal of Mental Health 2022; 9(3)
Chandra: Self-Compassion and Resilience among College Students 244
Table 3: Descriptive and Correlations between study variables among female college students
Variables n M SD 1 2
Self-Compassion 33 82.55 16.83 -
Resilience 33 27.88 8.04 .619** -
**p<0.01
According to table 3 there is significant positive correlation between self-compassion and resilience among
female college students r(31) = 0.619, p = .00 this indicates that an increase in self-compassion will lead to
a subsequent increase in resilience.
Table 4: Descriptive and Correlations between study variables among male college students
Variables N M SD 1 2
Self-Compassion 29 85.66 9.89 -
Resilience 29 29.38 6.62 .310 -
As shown in table 4 there is no significant correlation between self-compassion and resilience among male
college students r(27) = 0.102, p = .102 which means that a change in either of these variables will not affect
the other one.
CONCLUSION
The present research aimed to look at the two variable, resilience and self-compassion among college
students. Based on the results, it can be concluded that both of these variables are linked to each other and
can influence one another in some situations. Apart from this, the gender difference, although insignificant,
can have important implications for future researches.
Despite few limitations, the results of the present study can be used by educators and parents to assist
students in better adapting to the changing environment from school to college. Apart from this, they can
encourage and train students in developing resilience and self-compassion to enhance their quality of life.
Limitations and Recommendations
Just like every other study, this study also has some limitations such as small sample size, unequal
frequencies of males and females, inability of the researcher to focus on any one city and questionnaires not
being adapted to Indian population.
For further researches, it is recommended to collect a larger sample size, with equal number of males and
females including other gender as well. Apart from this, the measures used in the study should be adapted
to Indian population.
REFERENCES
1. Neff KD. The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self Identity
2003;2(3):223-50.
2. Neff KD. The self-compassion scale is a valid and theoretically coherent measure of self-
compassion. Mindfulness 2016;7(1):264-74.
3. Neff KD. Commentary on Muris and Otgaar (2020): Let the empirical evidence speak on the Self-
Compassion Scale. Mindfulness 2020;11(8):1900-9.
4. Smith JL. Self-compassion and resilience in senior living residents. Seniors Housing Care J
2015;23(1):17-31.
5. Gooding P, Tarrier N, Dunn G, Shaw J, Awenat Y, Ulph F, Pratt D. The moderating effects of
coping and self-esteem on the relationship between defeat, entrapment and suicidality in a sample
of prisoners at high risk of suicide. Eur Psychiatry 2015;30(8):988-94.
Indian Journal of Mental Health 2022; 9(3)
Chandra: Self-Compassion and Resilience among College Students 245
6. Kemper KJ, Mo X, Khayat R. Are mindfulness and self-compassion associated with sleep and
resilience in health professionals?. J Alternat Complement Med 2015;21(8):496-503.
7. Neff KD, Vonk R. Self‐compassion versus global self‐esteem: Two different ways of relating to
oneself. J Personality 2009;77(1):23-50.
8. Tanwar KC, Gard M. Study of self-compassion, depression, anxiety, and stress inmale and female
teachers in government college of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in India. Int J Psychosoc Rehabil
2020;24(7):29-43.
9. Bluth K, Neff KD. New frontiers in understanding the benefits of self-compassion. Self Identity
2018;17(6):605-8.
10. Connor KM, Davidson JR. Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor‐Davidson
resilience scale (CD‐RISC). Depress Anxiety 2003;18(2):76-82.
11. Campbell‐Sills L, Stein MB. Psychometric analysis and refinement of the connor–davidson
resilience scale (CD‐RISC): Validation of a 10‐item measure of resilience. J Trauma Stress
2007;20(6):1019-28.
************************************
Acknowledgements – We like to thank all participants who participated wholeheartedly in the study.
Conflict of Interest – Nil
Funding – Nil
Indian Journal of Mental Health 2022; 9(3)
