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A Meta-Analysis of the Relation Between Self-Compassion and Self-Efficacy

Mindfulness volume 12, pages 1878–1891 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

Self-compassion may play a role in protecting one’s self-efficacy in the face of failures. While research suggests a positive association between self-compassion and self-efficacy, the current study represents the first meta-analytic analysis of this association. Potential moderators including age, publication type, and sample type were also explored.

Methods

Random-effects models were used to estimate the average effect size (ES) for the associations between self-compassion total score and self-efficacy and between self-compassion subscales and self-efficacy across 60 studies providing a total of 109 effect sizes.

Results

Results showed a positive association between self-compassion total score and self-efficacy (r = .35), positive associations between self-compassion positive subscales and self-efficacy, and negative associations between self-compassion negative subscales and self-efficacy. Results also revealed that the associations between self-compassion subscales and self-efficacy were larger in non-students than in students, and in published studies versus unpublished studies.

Conclusions

Clinical interventions that cultivate self-compassion may be conducive to one’s sense of self-efficacy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Counseling, Administration, Supervision, and Adult Learning, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, USA

    Kelly Yu-Hsin Liao, Graham B. Stead & Chieh-Yu Liao

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  1. Kelly Yu-Hsin Liao
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  2. Graham B. Stead
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  3. Chieh-Yu Liao
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Correspondence to Kelly Yu-Hsin Liao.

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We have followed the ethical principles of the American Psychological Association in conducting this study and in the treatment of research participants. We do not have a financial interest or other conflict of interest that influenced the conduct of this study or the reporting of results.

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Liao, K.YH., Stead, G.B. & Liao, CY. A Meta-Analysis of the Relation Between Self-Compassion and Self-Efficacy. Mindfulness 12, 1878–1891 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01626-4

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Keywords

  • Self-compassion
  • Self-efficacy
  • Meta-analysis