The DOI matches its Crossref record; 45 of the 45 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Self-compassion as a Buffer against Homesickness, Depression, and Dissatisfaction in the Transition to College
Abstract
Life transitions that include moving to a new location are stressful, particularly if difficulties arise in the new environment. This study focused on the role of self-compassion in moderating students' reactions to social and academic difficulties in the transition to college. Before starting college, 119 students completed a measure of self-compassion, the degree to which people treat themselves kindly during distressing situations. At the end of their first semester, participants answered questions about their social and academic difficulties and completed measures of homesickness, depression, and satisfaction with their decision to attend the university. Students who scored higher in self-compassion weathered difficulties more successfully, reported lower homesickness and less depression, and expressed greater satisfaction with their decision to attend the university.
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“Self-compassion is considered a protective factor against academic stress [39,95], homesickness, depression, and problems in the transition to college [96,97]”
From Optimization of a Transdiagnostic Mobile Emotion Regulation Intervention for University Students: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [97]
In the citing paper
“Self-compassion is negatively associated with depression, anxiety [25], and homesickness [26], and positively associated with well-being [27].”
From Psychological factors associated with social withdrawal (Hikikomori) (2021) · cites this paper as [26]
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“Researchers have documented that individuals high in self-compassion can effectively handle difficult situations and cope better with burnout (Terry et al., 2013).”
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“These findings align with prior research highlighting the protective role of self-compassion in mitigating the impact of maladaptive cognitive appraisals on psychological outcomes (Neff, 2003; Terry et al., 2013).”
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“Self-compassion in first-year college students was also found to increase life satisfaction (Hope et al., 2014), reduce homesickness and depression (Terry et al., 2013), and mediate the relationship between negative life events and depression (Chang et al., 2017).”
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“To name a few, Terry, Leary, and Mehta (2013) found out that students with higher self-compassion are more successful in dealing with difficulties, and are more satisfied with their decision to pursue higher education in the university.”
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“Self-compassion has also been studied among undergraduate students in the United States who were starting university, and Terry and colleagues [96] found that those higher in self-compassion reported less homesickness and depression, and greater satisfaction in attending university.”
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Transição para o Ensino Superior: Uma Revisão Sistemática
Braun, K. C. R., Marcilio, F. C. P., & Dias, A. C. G. (2024) · Estudos e Pesquisas em Psicologia · doi:10.12957/epp.2024.61266 · Cited by 1
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“In addition, self-compassion exhibits connections with heightened life satisfaction and positive emotional states (Hope, Koestner, & Milyavskaya, 2014; Neff, 2023) and is inversely linked to anxiety levels, self-consciousness, and depression (Neff, 2023; Terry, Leary, & Mehta, 2013).”
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“New college students with higher levels of self-compassion endorse less homesickness, fewer depressive symptoms, and more satisfaction with their college during the adjustment process (Terry et al., 2013).”
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“Hasil studi oleh Terry, Leary, & Mehta (2013) mengindikasikan bahwa self-compassion memiliki kontribusi penting terhadap kesejahteraan atau kepuasan hidup individu.”
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“Indeed, indicators of psychological well-being may act as protective factors against stress and psychological distress amongst college students (Pritchard et al., 2007; Terry et al., 2013).”
BackgroundWomen's Shame Resilience: Examining Various Theoretical Assumptions of Shame Resilience Theory
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“Terry, Leary, and Mehta (2013) reported that self-compassion was found to be helpful for college students to reduce homesickness and depression.”
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Compassion for Everyday Living
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“This result is also supported by the study findings published by Terry which showed the presence of homesickness in non-native students due to diversity of cultures and societal health instability(10).”
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“Regarding university students, factors such as social connect-edness, cultural differences, satisfaction with university and academic outcomes, personal qualities, and self-compassion all play a significant role in determining homesickness levels (Hendrickson et al., 2011; Terry et al., 2013).”
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“For instance, international students experiencing homesickness report higher levels of psychological distress (Poyrazli & Lopez, 2007; Smith & Khawaja, 2011), while boarding-school students with homesickness demonstrate decreased psychological adjustment (Fisher et al., 1990; Terry et al., 2013).”
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“Self-compassion has been identified as a protective factor against low self-esteem and associated psychological problems (Kaurin et al., 2018; Terry et al., 2013; Trompetter et al., 2017).”
Agyei, D.-G. N., Amponsah, B., & Tutu, A. O. (2026) · PLOS mental health. · doi:10.1371/journal.pmen.0000556
“In this study, we investigated the role of self-compassion in relation to pain, stigma, and psychological well-being among people living with SCD. Self-compassion has been shown to promote emotional resilience and reduce the impact of stressors on psychological outcomes [37,38].”
Dong, J., Manning, K. Q., Dai, Y., Wang, C.-H., Salisbury‐Glennon, J. D., Marshall, D. T., & Trammell, D. L. (2025) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/979-8-88730-897-520251022
Compassion in Social Context: psychometric validation of the Social Self-Compassion Scale in Italy
Policardo, G. R., Nerini, A., Cardelli, A., Rose, A. L., & Matera, C. (2026) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298868.2026.2738567
Metadata
- Authors
- Terry, M. L., Leary, M. R., & Mehta, S.
- Affiliations
- Duke University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Terry, Meredith L.
- ORCID
- Leary, Mark R.
- Venue
- Self and Identity
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-05
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 278-290
- ISSN
- 1529-8868 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-8876
- OpenAlex
- W2050654322
- Cited by
- 165
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 5.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Self and Identity (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- self-compassion, homesickness, depression, transition to college, social difficulties, academic difficulties, moderation, student adaptation
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