Self-Compassion Facets as Mediators of the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Well-Being: A Path Analysis Approach

Self-esteem and self-compassion are both associated with psychological well-being, but they differ in their underlying mechanisms. Some studies have found that self-compassion mediates the relationship between self-esteem and well-being, yet they have overlooked the distinct roles of its cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This study examined whether specific self-compassion facets mediate the relationship between self-esteem and well-being, using the Italian adaptation of the Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales (SOCS), whose psychometric properties were also assessed. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 408 Italian high school and undergraduate healthcare students. Participants completed the SOCS, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. The Italian SOCS was psychometrically evaluated through confirmatory factor analyses and showed good validity and reliability. Correlations and path analyses were used to examine the mediating roles of cognitive, affective, and behavioral self-compassion facets. Emotional and behavioral components of self-compassion — such as “feeling for one’s suffering”, “tolerating uncomfortable feelings”, and “acting to alleviate suffering” — significantly mediated the link between self-esteem and well-being. These facets accounted for 39% of its variance, while cognitive components did not show significant effects. These findings highlight the importance of affective and behavioral self-compassion in therapeutic interventions, emphasizing their role in enhancing well-being.