Cited by 836Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

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Self-Compassion: Conceptualizations, Correlates, & Interventions

Barnard, Laura K., Curry, John F.·2011·Review of General Psychology

DOI 10.1037/a0025754

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Abstract

Within American psychology, there has been a recent surge of interest in self-compassion, a construct from Buddhist thought. Self-compassion entails: (a) being kind and understanding toward oneself in times of pain or failure, (b) perceiving one's own suffering as part of a larger human experience, and (c) holding painful feelings and thoughts in mindful awareness. In this article we review findings from personality, social, and clinical psychology related to self-compassion. First, we define self-compassion and distinguish it from other self-constructs such as self-esteem, self-pity, and self-criticism. Next, we review empirical work on the correlates of self-compassion, demonstrating that self-compassion has consistently been found to be related to well-being. These findings support the call for interventions that can raise self-compassion. We then review the theory and empirical support behind current interventions that could enhance self-compassion including compassionate mind training (CMT), imagery work, the gestalt two-chair technique, mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Directions for future research are also discussed.

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Authors: Barnard, L. K., & Curry, J. F.
Affiliations: Duke University (US)
ORCID: Curry, John F.
Venue: Review of General Psychology
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2011-12
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
Pages: 289-303
ISSN: 1089-2680 (ISSN-L)
1939-1552
DOI: 10.1037/a0025754
OpenAlex: W2020746234
Cited by: 835
References: 68
Citations by year: 2026: 38 · 2025: 64 · 2024: 58 · 2023: 80 · 2022: 89 · 2021: 104 · 2020: 87 · 2019: 64 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 61 · 2016: 55 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 6
FWCI: 18.28
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Review of General Psychology (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords: self-compassion, compassionate mind training, self-esteem, self-pity, self-criticism, well-being, mindfulness, mindfulness-based stress reduction, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, Buddhist psychology, self-compassion interventions

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Self-Compassion: Conceptualizations, Correlates, & Interventions

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