THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-COMPASSION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FLOURISHING IN YOUNG ADULTS
Abstract
Psychological flourishing refers to the optimal functioning of individuals, characterized by high levels of well-being, personal growth, and life satisfaction. Self-compassion, the ability to treat oneself with kindness during times of failure or difficulty, has been increasingly recognized as a critical factor in promoting mental health and well-being. This study aims to examine the relationship between self-compassion and psychological flourishing in young adults. Specifically, it investigates how different aspects of self-compassion, such as self-kindness and mindfulness, contribute to overall well-being and personal growth in this demographic. A quantitative correlational research design was employed, using surveys to collect data from 300 young adults aged 18-30. The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) was used to measure self-compassion, and the Psychological Flourishing Scale (PFS) was used to assess flourishing. Pearson’s correlation and regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between self-compassion and flourishing. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between self-compassion and psychological flourishing. Higher levels of self-compassion were associated with greater well-being, personal growth, and life satisfaction among young adults. This study concludes that self-compassion is a significant predictor of psychological flourishing in young adults.
Full text article
References
Atad, O. I. (2026). Two Pathways to Digital Flourishing: How Meaning and Positivity Orientations Shape Online Behavior and Well-Being. Information Switzerland, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/info17020156
Balzarotti, S. (2025). Feasibility of a brief, remote self-compassion intervention for employed mothers. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 35(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2024.100855
Braghetta, C. C. (2025). Promoting the wellbeing of the whole person: A within-subjects mixed-methods study exploring the effects of the flourishing intervention among individuals with depressive symptoms. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1532843
Calabrese, L. (2025). Remission of OCD and ulcerative colitis with a ketogenic diet: Case Report. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1541414
Celebi, U. (2026). Social cognition and psychological measures in adults with Epilepsy: An exploratory study using Theory of Mind tasks. Epilepsy and Behavior, 178(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2026.110958
Chang, A. R. (2026). Disparities in Psychological Wellbeing by Sexual Orientation: Results from the 2022 National College Health Assessment. Journal of Happiness Studies, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-025-00988-z
Dambi, J. M. (2024). A conceptualization and psychometric evaluation of positive psychological outcome measures used in adolescents and young adults living with HIV: A mixed scoping and systematic review. Plos Global Public Health, 4(8). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002255
Donaldson, S. I. (2025). The Power of Self-Compassion and PERMA+4: A Dual-Path Model for Employee Flourishing. Behavioral Sciences, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15121620
Ehmann, S. (2025). Bridging the Soteriological-Secular Divide: A 9-Month Online Tibetan Mind-Body Practice Program Enhances Eudaimonic Well-Being and Non-Dual Awareness. Mindfulness, 16(12), 3598–3611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-025-02704-7
Fainstad, T. (2024). Impact of an Online Group-Coaching Program on Ambulatory Faculty Physician Well-Being: A Randomized Trial. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 37(6), 1055–1071. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2024.240022R1
Frost, J. (2026). “The players are the focus, it’s never spoken about as coaches”: Perceived factors influencing the mental health of Australian elite-level coaches. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 85(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2026.103118
Jansen, P. (2026). The effect of online mindfulness training on connectedness to oneself, to others and to nature in students. Applied Psychology Health and Well Being, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.70137
Kohn, J. N. (2023). Trends, heterogeneity, and correlates of mental health and psychosocial well-being in later-life: Study of 590 community-dwelling adults aged 40–104 years. Aging and Mental Health, 27(6), 1198–1207. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2078790
LeBon, T. (2026). The Development and Validation of the Stoic Attitudes and Behaviours Scale. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 50(1), 207–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-025-10635-9
Lemon, N. (2025). Where Wellbeing Science Meets Writing Practice: The Intersection of Shut Up & Write! And Self-Care. Cultivating Wellbeing and Community Through Writing in Academia Shifting the Culture with Shut Up Write, (Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003633334-2
Lengua, L. J. (2025). A well-being promotion program increases self-compassion, active coping and emotion regulation among providers who work with children and families. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05043-1
Liang, K. (2025). Self-compassion, mental health, and parenting: Comparing parents of autistic and non-autistic children. Autism, 29(1), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241286683
Litlabø, V. R. (2026). Exploring gender differences in Norwegian eighth-grade students: The role of passion, grit, growth mindset, self-efficacy, compassion, courage, and wellbeing. Frontiers in Education, 10(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1703538
Liu, C. (2024). Self-Compassion and Psychological Flourishing Among College Students: The Mediating Role of Hope and the Moderating Role of Emotion Regulation. Behavioral Sciences, 14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121149
Monteiro, F. (2023). Exploring factors associated with complete mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Midwifery, 116(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103521
Mróz, J. (2023). Forgiveness and Flourishing: The Mediating and Moderating Role of Self-Compassion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010666
Musabiq, S. (2024). Differential Pattern of Consequences of Self-Compassion Across Gender: Predicting Flourishing and Life Satisfaction by Two Factors of Self-Compassion. Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology, 2024(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5564391
Nguyen, K. H. (2025). Global trends and emerging themes in psychological well-being and mindfulness research: A science-mapping study aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and well-being). Applied Psychology Health and Well Being, 17(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.70100
Peña-Muñante, G. (2024). Romantic breakup distress and flourishing in students: The mediating role of self-compassion. Revista De Psicologia Peru, 42(1), 305–330. https://doi.org/10.18800/psico.202401.011
Phong, C. T. (2025). Nurturing the soul at work: Spiritual values and psychological well-being in Vietnamese companies. Human Resource Development International, (Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2025.2549549
Sachdev, A. (2026). Pathways from Connectedness to Flourishing: The Mediating Roles of Gratitude, Harmony Control, and Resilience in Parents of Neurodivergent Children. International Journal of Special Education, 41(1), 31–46.
Sease, T. B. (2024). Surrendering to thrive: Evaluating the psychometric properties of the State of Surrender (SoS) scale and its relationship with well-being. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 33(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2024.100815
?ermet, M. B. (2026). The effects of psychodrama on flourishing, self-compassion, and empathy in university students: A randomized controlled trial. Arts in Psychotherapy, 98(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2026.102443
Shah, A. N. (2024). National Comparison of Burnout for a Cohort of Surgical and Nonsurgical Female Trainees. Journal of Surgical Research, 296(Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32), 404–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.01.010
Sukodoyo. (2026). Bullying as a moral failure in education: Integrating care ethics, loving-kindness, and self-compassion. Ethics and Education, 21(1), 124–137. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449642.2026.2632263
Tang, A. C. Y. (2026). Association Among Self-Compassion, Resilience, Positive Mental Health and Risk of Gaming Disorder in 18–30 Year Old Population in China and Thailand: A Cross-Regional Study. Nursing Open, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70353
Tümlü, G. Ü. (2024). Do insight and altruism lead to flourishing through providing self-compassion in mental health professional candidates? British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 52(6), 1039–1053. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2023.2264478
Uniyal, S. (2025). Mediating Role of Self-compassion Between Cognitive Distortion and Flourishing Among Youth. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal, 23(2), 209–216. https://doi.org/10.32598/irj.23.2.2240.1
Wang, N. (2025). Self-compassion and flourishing in Chinese high-performance athletes: Exploring the mediating roles of positive emotion, coping strategies, and resilience. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, (Query date: 2026-04-28 19:09:32). https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2025.2523001
Watermeyer, B. (2025). Health sciences training for disability inclusion: The need to engage with emotion. Medical Humanities, 51(1), 123–128. https://doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2024-013044
Zhao, H. (2025). Social exclusion and flourishing in junior high school students: Mediation of ego depletion and moderation of self-compassion. Current Psychology, 44(13), 13181–13194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-08062-w