ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2020, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (5): 824-832.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2020.00824

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Self-compassion: Its mechanisms and related interventions

JIN Guomin, LIU Xiaoshi, LI Dan()   

  1. Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
  • Received:2019-06-04 Online:2020-04-26 Published:2020-03-27
  • Contact: Dan LI E-mail:lidan501@126.com

Abstract:

Self‐compassion refers to the ability to express sympathy or compassion to oneself when faced with failures, inadequacies or suffering. Self-compassion has been found to have a profound impact on individuals' physical and psychological health. In view of its mechanisms, self-compassion can exert positive impacts on individuals by reducing one’s maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and promoting adaptive emotion regulation strategies. Additionally, self-compassion can also maintain ones’ homeostasis by regulating the biological markers of the stress response, which in turn, facilitates their adjustment. The major interventions related to self-compassion include Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). More studies are needed to further explore the mechanism of self-compassion, expand its investigation by using various measurement and research methods, and use more rigorous interventional designs to evaluate the effects of self-compassion interventions under the Chinese cultural background.

Key words: self-compassion, mindfulness, emotion regulation, mindful self-compassion, compassion-focused therapy

CLC Number: