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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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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Rubén Trigueros & José M. Pérez-Jiménez & Alejandro García-Mas & José M. Aguilar-Parra & José M. Fernandez-Batanero & Antonio Luque de la Rosa & Ana Manzano-León & Noelia Navarro, 2021. "Adaptation and Validation of the Eudaimonic Well-Being Questionnaire to the Spanish Sport Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-9, March.
    5. Jacky C. K. Ng & Algae K. Y. Au & Helen S. M. Wong & Carmen K. M. Sum & Victor C. Y. Lau, 2021. "Does Dispositional Envy Make You Flourish More (or Less) in Life? An Examination of Its Longitudinal Impact and Mediating Mechanisms Among Adolescents and Young Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1089-1117, March.
    6. 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.
    7. Lurdes Antonina Dos Santos Beni & Latipun Latipun, 2019. "Correlation Self-Compassion and Happiness among University Students in Timor-Leste: Gratitude as Moderation Variable," International Journal of Psychological Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(2), pages 1-1, June.

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