Abstract
Objectives
While the negative effects of family incivility have been found for work-related outcomes, few studies have explored its impact on adolescents’ interpersonal interactions. This study explores the role of family incivility (situational factor) on loneliness and interpersonal adaptation among adolescents, via the mediating role of self-compassion.
Method
We conducted a two-wave survey among 167 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 16.83 years, SD = 1.32). Participants completed measures of family incivility, self-compassion, loneliness and interpersonal adaptation. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the mediating role of self-compassion between family incivility and loneliness and between family incivility and interpersonal adaptation.
Results
Family incivility is negatively related to interpersonal adaptation and positively related to loneliness. When controlling for baseline levels of loneliness and interpersonal adaptation, self-compassion mediates the relationship between family incivility and loneliness. It also mediates the relationship between family incivility and interpersonal adaptation.
Conclusions
Family incivility is linked to reduced interpersonal adaptation and increased loneliness through decreasing self-compassion. The results provide new insights relevant for interventions to alleviate the adverse effects of family incivility.
Preregistration
This study is not preregistered.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
Data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The materials necessary to attempt to replicate the findings presented here are also available from the corresponding author. The analysis scripts and outputs are available at the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/xy52n/).
References
Akin, A. (2010). Self-compassion and loneliness. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 2(3), 702–718.
Ashar, Y. K., Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Yarkoni, T., Sills, J., Halifax, J., Dimidjian, S., & Wager, T. D. (2016). Effects of compassion meditation on a psychological model of charitable donation. Emotion, 16, 691–705. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000119
Bai, Q., Lin, W., & Wang, L. (2016). Family incivility and counterproductive work behavior: A moderated mediation model of self-esteem and emotional regulation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 94, 11–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2016.02.014
Bai, Q., Bai, S., Huang, Y., Hsueh, F. H., & Wang, P. (2020). Family incivility and cyberbullying in adolescence: A moderated mediation model. Computers in Human Behavior, 110, 106315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106315
Bardone-Cone, A. M., Thompson, K. A., & Miller, A. J. (2020). The self and eating disorders. Journal of Personality, 88(1), 59–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12448
Barni, D., Ranieri, S., Scabini, E., & Rosnati, R. (2011). Value transmission in the family: Do adolescents accept the values their parents want to transmit? Journal of Moral Education, 40(1), 105–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2011.553797
Barry, C. T., Loflin, D. C., & Doucette, H. (2015). Adolescent self-compassion: Associations with narcissism, self-esteem, aggression, and internalizing symptoms in at risk males. Personality and Individual Differences, 77, 118–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.036
Beverley, T. (1999). The conceptualization and measurement of Childhood Loneliness. In K. J. Rotenberg, & S. Hymel (Eds.), Loneliness in Childhood and Adolescence (pp. 11–33). Cambridge University Press.
Bistricky, S. L., Gallagher, M. W., Roberts, C. M., Ferris, L., Gonzalez, A. J., & Wetterneck, C. T. (2017). Frequency of interpersonal trauma types, avoidant attachment, self-compassion, and interpersonal competence: A model of persisting posttraumatic symptoms. Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma, 26(6), 608–625. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2017.1322657
Borawski, D., & Nowak, A. (2022). As long as you are self-compassionate, you will never walk alone. The interplay between self-compassion and rejection sensitivity in predicting loneliness. International Journal of Psychology, 57(5), 621–628. https://doi.org/10.1002/IJOP.12850
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Attachment (1 vol.). Basic Books.
Breines, J. G., & Chen, S. (2012). Self-compassion increases self-improvement motivation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(9), 1133–1143. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167212445599
Brooker, J., Julian, J., Millar, J., Prince, H. M., Kenealy, M., Herbert, K., Graham, A., Smith, R., Kissane, D., Taylor, K., Frydenberg, M., Porter, I., Fletcher, J., Haines, I., & Sue Burney. (2020). A feasibility and acceptability study of an adaptation of the Mindful Self-Compassion program for adult cancer patients. Palliative and Supportive Care, 18(2), 130–140. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951519000737
Buitron, V., Hill, R. M., Pettit, J. W., Green, K. L., Hatkevich, C., & Sharp, C. (2016). Interpersonal stress and suicidal ideation in adolescence: An indirect association through perceived burdensomeness toward others. Journal of Affective Disorders, 190, 143–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2015.09.077
Chan, K. K. S., Yip, C. C. H., & Tsui, J. K. C. (2023). Self-compassion mediates the impact of family support on clinical and personal recovery among people with mental illness. Mindfulness, 14(3), 720–731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02088-6
Chen, F. F. (2007). Sensitivity of goodness of fit indexes to lack of measurement. Structural Equation Modeling, 14, 464–504. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705510701301834
Chen, J., Yan, L., & Zhou, L. (2011). Reliability and validity of chinese version of self-compassion scale. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 19(6), 734–736. https://doi.org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2011.06.006
Cheung, R. Y. M., Leung, M. C., Chung, K. K. H., & Cheung, H. Y. (2018). Family risks and adolescent adjustment in Chinese contexts: Testing the mediating role of emotional intelligence. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(12), 3887–3896. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1233-y
Collins, N. L. (1996). Working models of attachment: Implications for explanation, emotion, and behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(4), 810. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.71.4.810
de Waal, N., Boekhorst, M. G. B. M., Nyklíček, I., & Pop, V. J. M. (2023). Maternal mindfulness during pregnancy and early child social-emotional development and behavior problems: The potential mediating role of maternal Mental Health. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02174-9
DeLongis, A., Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1988). The impact of daily stress on health and mood: Psychological and social resources as mediators. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 486–495. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.54.3.486
Dzwonkowska, I., & Żak–Łykus, A. (2015). Self-compassion and social functioning of people – research review. Polish Psychological Bulletin, 46(1), 82–87. https://doi.org/10.1515/ppb-2015-0009
Elsebaie, S. R., Abd El Aziz, M. M., Metwaly, S. M., El-Ghany, A., & Mustafa, G. (2022). Cyberbullying among adolescent students: Moderator Effects of Emotional Intelligence and Family Incivility. Assiut Scientific Nursing Journal, 10(28), 170–183. https://doi.org/10.21608/asnj.2022.108379.1271
Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion focused therapy: Distinctive features. Routledge.
Gilbert, P. (2014). The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53(1), 6–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12043
Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: Overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 13, 353–379. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.507
Goldstein, A. L., Haller, S., Mackinnon, S. P., & Stewart, S. H. (2019). Attachment anxiety and avoidance, emotion dysregulation, interpersonal difficulties and alcohol problems in emerging adulthood. Addiction Research & Theory, 27(2), 130–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2018.1464151
Gottlieb, B. H. (1997). Conceptual and measurement issues in the study of coping with chronic stress. In B. H. Gottlieb (Ed.), Coping with chronic stress (Vol. 40, p. 3). Plenum Press.
Grych, J. H., Raynor, S. R., & Fosco, G. M. (2004). Family processes that shape the impact of interparental conflict on adolescents. Development and Psychopathology, 16(3), 649–665. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579404004717
Hays, R. D., & DiMatteo, M. R. (1987). A short–form measure of loneliness. Journal of Personality Assessment, 51(1), 69–81. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5101_6
Holt–Lunstad, J., & Smith, T. B. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A metanalytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10, 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352
Hooper, D., Coughlan, J., & Mullen, M. (2008). Structural equation modelling: Guidelines for determining Model Fit. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 6(1), 53–60.
Hsieh, Y. P., & Yen, L. L. (2019). Trajectories of loneliness and aggression from childhood to early adolescence in Taiwan: The roles of parenting and demographic predictors. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 39(3), 313–339. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431617737623
Jin, S., & Miao, M. (2022). Family incivility and cyberbullying perpetration among college students: Negative affect as a mediator and dispositional mindfulness as a moderator. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(23–24), NP21826–NP21849. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211063000
Jobst, L. J., Bader, M., & Moshagen, M. (2023). A tutorial on assessing statistical power and determining sample size for structural equation models. Psychological Methods, 28(1), 207–221. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000423
Kinch, J. W. (1963). A formalized theory of the self-concept. American Journal of Sociology, 68(4), 481–486. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2774427
Lee, E. E., Govind, T., Ramsey, M., Wu, T. C., Daly, R., Liu, J., Tu, X. M., Paulus, M. P., Thomas, M. L., & Jeste, D. V. (2021). Compassion toward others and self-compassion predict mental and physical well–being: A 5-year longitudinal study of 1090 community–dwelling adults across the lifespan. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01491-8
Lim, S., & Tai, K. (2014). Family incivility and job performance: A moderated mediation model of psychological distress and core self-evaluation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 99(2), 351–359. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034486
Lin, S., Yuan, Z., Niu, G., Fan, C., & Hao, X. (2023). Family matters more than friends on problematic Social Media Use among Adolescents: Mediating roles of resilience and loneliness. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11469-023-01026-W
Liu, L., Xu, L., Luo, F., & Li, Y. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of interpersonal strengths: The role of parent gender, family processes, and child characteristics. Journal of Adolescence, 67, 66–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.06.005
Liu, X., Yang, Y., Wu, H., Kong, X., & Cui, L. (2020). The roles of fear of negative evaluation and social anxiety in the relationship between self-compassion and loneliness: A serial mediation model. Current Psychology, 41(8), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01001-x
Marsh, I. C., Chan, S. W. Y., & MacBeth, A. (2018). Self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents–a meta–analysis. Mindfulness, 9(4), 1011–1027. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0850-7
Meinck, F., Cluver, L. D., Orkin, F. M., Kuo, C., Sharma, A. D., Hensels, I. S., & Sherr, L. (2017). Pathways from family disadvantage via abusive parenting and caregiver Mental Health to Adolescent Health Risks in South Africa. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(1), 57–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.08.016
Millsap, R. (2011). Statistical approaches to measurement invariance. Taylor & Francis.
Mischel, W., & Shoda, Y. (1995). A cognitive–affective system theory of personality: Reconceptualizing situations, dispositions, dynamics, and invariance in personality structure. Psychological Review, 102, 246–268. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.102.2.246
Mischel, W., & Shoda, Y. (1998). Reconciling processing dynamics and personality dispositions. Annual Review of Psychology, 49, 229–258. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.49.1.229
Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self & Identity, 2, 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860390209035
Neff, K. D., & Beretvas, S. N. (2013). The role of self-compassion in romantic relationships. Self and Identity, 12(1), 78–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2011.639548
Nie, Q., Tian, L., & Huebner, E. S. (2020). Relations among Family Dysfunction, loneliness and life satisfaction in chinese children: A longitudinal mediation model. Child Indicators Research, 13, 839–862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-019-09650-6
Nowland, R., Necka, E. A., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2018). Loneliness and social internet use: Pathways to reconnection in a digital world? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(1), 70–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691617713052
Pepping, C. A., Davis, P. J., O’Donovan, A., & Pal, J. (2015). Individual differences in self-compassion: The role of attachment and experiences of parenting in childhood. Self and Identity, 14(1), 104–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2014.955050
Potter, R. F., Yar, K., Francis, A. J. P., & Schuster, S. (2014). Self-Compassion mediates the relationship between parental criticism and social anxiety. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 14(1), 33–43.
Qualter, P., Vanhalst, J., arris, H., van Roekel, R., Lodder, E., Bangee, G., M., & Verhagen, M. (2015). Loneliness across the life span. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 250–264. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211059193
Ren, S., Babalola, M. T., Ogbonnaya, C., Hochwarter, W. A., Akemu, O., & Agyemang–Mintah, P. (2021). Employee thriving at work: The long reach of family incivility and family support. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(1), 17–35. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2559
Rhemtulla, M. (2016). Population performance of SEM parceling strategies under measurement and structural model misspecification. Psychological Methods, 21(3), 348–368. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000072
Rodgers, R. F., Donovan, E., Cousineau, T., Yates, K., Cook, E., Lowy, A. S., & Franko, D. L. (2018). BodiMojo: Efficacy of a mobile–based intervention in improving body image and self-compassion among adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(7), 1363–1372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0804-3
Rogers, W. M., & Schmitt, N. (2004). Parameter recovery and model fit using multidimensional composites: A comparison of four empirical parceling algorithms. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 39, 379–412. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327906MBR3903_1
Rokach, A. (2002). Determinants of loneliness of young adult drug users. Journal of Psychology, 136(6), 613–630. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980209604823
Rusbult, C. E., Olsen, N., Davis, J. L., & Hannon, P. A. (2001). Commitment and relationship maintenance mechanisms. In J. H. Harvey, & A. E. Wenzel (Eds.), Close romantic relationships: Maintenance and enhancement (pp. 87–113). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Seekis, V., Farrell, L., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. (2023). A classroom-based pilot of a self-compassion intervention to increase wellbeing in early adolescents. Explore, 19, 267–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EXPLORE.2022.06.003
Spithoven, A. W. M., Lodder, G. M. A., Goossens, L., Bijttebier, P., Bastin, M., Verhagen, M., & Scholte, R. H. J. (2017). Adolescents’ loneliness and depression associated with friendship experiences and well–being: A person–centered approach. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(2), 429–441. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0478-2
Steven, L., Bistricky, M. W., & Gallagher, Caroline M. Roberts, Lindsay Ferris, Adriana, J., Gonzalez, & Chad, T. Wetterneck (2017). Frequency of interpersonal trauma types, avoidant attachment, Self-Compassion, and interpersonal competence: A model of persisting posttraumatic symptoms. Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma, 26(6), 608–625. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2017.1322657
Summerfeldt, L. J., Kloosterman, P. H., Antony, M. M., & Parker, J. D. A. (2006). Social anxiety, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal adjustment. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 28(1), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-006-4542-1
Teague, S., Youssef, G. J., Macdonald, J. A., Sciberras1, E., Shatte, A., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., Greenwood, G., McIntosh, J., Olsson, C. A., & Hutchinson, D. (2018). Retention strategies in longitudinal cohort studies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18, 151. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0586-7
Turpyn, C. C., & Chaplin, T. M. (2016). Mindful parenting and parents’ emotion expression: Effects on. Adolescent Risk Behaviors Mindfulness, 7, 246–254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0440-5
Vazeou–Nieuwenhuis, A., & Schumann, K. (2017). Self-compassionate and apologetic? How and why having compassion toward the self relates to a willingness to apologize. Personality and Individual Differences, 124, 71–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.12.002
Wang, M. (2014). Latent variable modeling using Mplus. Chongqing University Press.
Wang, Q., & Zhao, J. (2022). Emotional maltreatment and left–behind adolescents’ loneliness in rural China: The moderating role of peer acceptance. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03263-z
Wang, B., Jin, C., & Zhao, B. (2020a). Relationships among family function, interpersonal adaptation and cyberbullying of adolescents: A moderated mediation effect. Psychological Development and Education, 36(4), 469–476. https://doi.org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2020.04.10
Wang, Q., Wang, H., & Liu, X. (2020b). Loneliness, non-suicidal self-injury, and friendship quality among chinese left-behind adolescents: The role of parent-child cohesion. Journal of Affective Disorders, 271, 193–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.112
Wentzel, K. R., & Feldman, S. S. (1996). Relations of cohesion and power in family dyads to social and emotional adjustment during early adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 6(2), 225–244.
Westphal, M., Leahy, R. L., Pala, A. N., & Wupperman, P. (2016). Self-compassion and emotional invalidation mediate the effects of parental indifference on psychopathology. Psychiatry Research, 242, 186–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.20160.05.040
Wu, C., & Yao, G. (2008). Psychometric analysis of the short–form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS–8) in Taiwanese undergraduate students. Personality and Individual Differences, 44, 1762–1771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.02.003
Yang, H., & Guo, Y. (2002). Understanding personality from the view of interpersonal Relationship——the visual angle of the cognitive– affective system of personality theory. Psychological Exploration, 1, 13–17.
Yang, Y., Guo, Z., Kou, Y., & Liu, B. (2019). Linking Self-Compassion and Prosocial Behavior in Adolescents: The mediating roles of relatedness and trust. Child Indicators Research, 12(6), 2035–2049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-019-9623-2
Yarnell, L. M., & Neff, K. D. (2013). Self-compassion, interpersonal conflict resolutions, and well–being. Self and Identity, 12, 146–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2011.649545
Ye, B., Lei, X., Yang, J., Byrne, P. J., Jiang, X., Liu, M., & Wang, X. (2021). Family cohesion and social adjustment of chinese university students: The mediating effects of sense of security and personal relationships. Current Psychology, 40, 1872–1883. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-0118-y
Yu, Y. (2009). The Assessment of Social Adjustment of Middle School Students and its Family Risk and Protective Factors [Doctoral dissertation, Beijing Normal University]. Wangfang Data.
Zayas, V., Shoda, Y., & Ayduk, O. N. (2002). Personality in context: An interpersonal systems perspective. Journal of Personality, 70(6), 852–900. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-64940.05026
Zhang, Y., Tan, D., & Lei, T. (2020). Parental attachment and problematic smartphone use among chinese young adults: A Moderated Mediation Model of Interpersonal Adaptation and self–control. Journal of Adult Development, 27(1), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-019-09331-2
Zhou, H., Zhang, B., Tan, R., & Huang, M. (2008). Development and initial validation of the Social Adjustment Questionnaire for Middle School Students. China Journal of Health Psychology, 16(9), 1005–1007.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the adolescents who participated in this study.
Funding
This research was supported by the Young Scholar Project of Beijing Education Sciences Planning Program during the 14th Five-Year Plan (Grant Number: CECA21105) under “Research on the underlying mechanism and intervention of family incivility’s impact on adolescents’ mental health.”
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Shuai Jin: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, resources, software, visualization, writing the initial draft, and review and editing of the manuscript. Jianqing Liu: resources, review and editing of the manuscript. Miao Miao: conceptualization, funding acquisition, methodology, project administration, resources, supervision, and review and editing of the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Artificial Intelligence Statement
AI was not used.
Ethics Approval
This study was approved by the ethics committee in School of Sociology, China University of Political Science and Law.
Informed Consent
All participants provided informed consent prior to participation in this study.
Conflict of Interest
The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Jin, S., Liu, J. & Miao, M. Family Incivility Impedes Interpersonal Adaptation and Increases Loneliness in Adolescents: Self-Compassion as a Mediator. Mindfulness 14, 2014–2025 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02188-3
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02188-3