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Self-compassion and Eudaimonic Well-Being During Emotionally Difficult Times in Sport

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  • Leah Ferguson
  • Kent Kowalski
  • Diane Mack
  • Catherine Sabiston

Abstract

Evidence is emerging for the potential usefulness of self-compassion (Neff in Self Identity 2:223–250, 2003a ) in young women athletes’ sport experiences (Mosewich et al. in J Sport Exerc Psychol 33:103–123, 2011 , J Sport Exerc Psychol 35:514–524, 2013 ). However, it is unclear whether extending compassion towards the self contributes to or thwarts athletes’ psychological well-being (i.e., eudaimonic well-being) in sport. The purpose of this study was to examine self-compassion during emotionally difficult sport situations in relation to eudaimonic well-being in sport. Women athletes (N = 137; M age = 19 years) completed an online survey including measures of self-compassion, eudaimonic well-being, and reactions to hypothetical, emotionally difficult, sport scenarios. Pearson bivariate correlations were used to examine relationships among study variables, and Preacher and Hayes’ (Behav Res Methods 40:879–891, 2008 ) SPSS macro was used to explore models of indirect effects. The relationship between self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being in the sport domain was generally supported, with significant correlations between self-compassion and autonomy, meaning and vitality in sport, and body appreciation (rs = .18–.47, p > .05). Significant indirect effects suggest that (1) self-compassionate athletes have greater eudaimonic well-being in sport primarily through higher positivity and perseverance, as well as lower passivity in reaction to emotionally difficult sport situations, and (2) self-critical reactions suppress the relationships between self-compassion and eudaimonia in sport. The pattern of findings suggests that compassionately relating to the self might be advantageous for aspects of young women athletes’ psychological well-being in sport. Specifically, having a kind and understanding self-attitude might nurture constructive reactions to emotionally difficult sport situations. Findings can inform future research aimed at better understanding how self-compassion is linked with optimal psychological functioning in sport. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Leah Ferguson & Kent Kowalski & Diane Mack & Catherine Sabiston, 2015. "Self-compassion and Eudaimonic Well-Being During Emotionally Difficult Times in Sport," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1263-1280, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:16:y:2015:i:5:p:1263-1280
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-014-9558-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Terence Bostic & Doris McGartland Rubio & Mark Hood, 2000. "A Validation of the Subjective Vitality Scale Using Structural Equation Modeling," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 52(3), pages 313-324, December.
    2. Veronika Huta & Richard Ryan, 2010. "Pursuing Pleasure or Virtue: The Differential and Overlapping Well-Being Benefits of Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 11(6), pages 735-762, December.
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    1. Shuge Zhang & Clare Roscoe & Andy Pringle, 2023. "Self-Compassion and Physical Activity: The Underpinning Role of Psychological Distress and Barrier Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Leah J. Ferguson & Margo E. K. Adam & Katie E. Gunnell & Kent C. Kowalski & Diane E. Mack & Amber D. Mosewich & Noreen Murphy, 2022. "Self-Compassion or Self-Criticism? Predicting Women Athletes’ Psychological Flourishing in Sport in Canada," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 1923-1939, June.
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    4. Esther Villajos & Núria Tordera & José M. Peiró, 2019. "Human Resource Practices, Eudaimonic Well-Being, and Creative Performance: The Mediating Role of Idiosyncratic Deals for Sustainable Human Resource Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-20, December.
    5. Paweł Piepiora & Zbigniew Piepiora, 2021. "Personality Determinants of Success in Men’s Sports in the Light of the Big Five," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-10, June.
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