The DOI matches its Crossref record; 54 of the 56 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The forest and the trees: Examining the association of self-compassion and its positive and negative components with psychological functioning
Abstract
This paper presents two studies focusing on the link between psychological functioning and self-compassion as measured by the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), especially in terms of SCS components that represent increased compassionate and reduced uncompassionate behavior. Study One examined this association in seven domains – psychopathology, positive psychological health, emotional intelligence, self-concept, body image, motivation, and interpersonal functioning – and found that while reduced negative self-responding had a stronger link to negative emotionality and self-evaluation than positive self-responding, they were roughly equivalent predictors in other domains. Study Two examined the association of compassionate and reduced uncompassionate behavior with sympathetic nervous system and inflammatory activity after stress, and found they equally predicted salivary alpha amylase and interleukin-6 levels in individuals after a stressful situation. Overall, results suggest that both compassionate and reduced uncompassionate self-responding are central to self-compassion and that both help to explain its link to healthy psychological functioning.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Opierając się na wcześniejszych badaniach, które udokumentowały istotne korelacje (od małych/umiarkowanych do dużych) między współczuciem dla siebie i cechą uważności oraz między współczuciem dla siebie a wskaźnikami zdrowia psychicznego idobrostanu [28, 35, 36]”
From The Polish adaptation of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (2024) · cites this paper as [36]
In the citing paper
“and lower levels of contingent self‐worth (Neff et al. 2018)”
From The Mechanisms Underlying the Relationship Between Self‐Compassion and Psychological Outcomes in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review. (2025) · cites this paper as Neff et al. 2018
Citations
Cites
Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences
Muller, K. E., & Cohen, J. (1989) · Technometrics · doi:10.2307/1270020 · Cited by 99,603
Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences
Cohen, J. (1990) · Computers Environment and Urban Systems · doi:10.1016/0198-9715(90)90050-4 · Cited by 65,417
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037//0003-066x.56.3.218 · Cited by 18,025
Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006) · Assessment · doi:10.1177/1073191105283504 · Cited by 7,511 · cited 1×
“These two subscales are generally found to be stronger predictors of psychopathology than the positive subscales, although the latter also make a contribution (Baer et al., 2008; Cash & Whittingham, 2010). Using the logic of Muris and Petrocchi (2017), one could conclude that the HEI should not measure the consumption…”
BackgroundThe Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Self-Compassion
NEFF, K. D. (2003) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298860309027 · Cited by 6,436 · cited 8×
“The vast majority of research has measured the construct of self-compassion with the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003a).”
InfluentialSelf-citationKirschbaum, C., Pirke, K.-M., & Hellhammer, D. H. (2008) · Neuropsychobiology · doi:10.1159/000119004 · Cited by 6,093
Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself
NEFF, K. (2003) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298860309032 · Cited by 5,440
Self-citationTests for comparing elements of a correlation matrix
Steiger, J. H. (1980) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.87.2.245 · Cited by 4,621
Negativity Bias, Negativity Dominance, and Contagion
Rozin, P., & Royzman, E. B. (2001) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1207/s15327957pspr0504_2 · Cited by 4,342
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Lykins, E., Button, D., Krietemeyer, J., Sauer, S., Walsh, E., Duggan, D., & Williams, J. M. G. (2008) · Assessment · doi:10.1177/1073191107313003 · Cited by 2,930
A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program
Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.21923 · Cited by 2,253
Self-citationThe Rediscovery of Bifactor Measurement Models
Reise, S. P. (2012) · Multivariate Behavioral Research · doi:10.1080/00273171.2012.715555 · Cited by 2,112 · cited 1×
“Neff, Whittaker and Karl (2017) have argued that a bifactor approach (Reise, 2012) – which models the association of SCS items with the six specific factors of self-compassion and a general factor simultaneously – is more consistent with a systems-view of self-compassion.”
BackgroundExploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology
MacBeth, A., & Gumley, A. (2012) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.06.003 · Cited by 1,838 · cited 6×
“Recently, Muris and Petrocchi (2017) conducted a meta-analysis of this link across 18 studies, and found the three components representing reduced negative self-responding had a stronger association with psychopathology (e.g., depression, anxiety and stress) than the positive components. They argue that “negative item…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialLeary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Adams, C. E., Batts Allen, A., & Hancock, J. (2007) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.92.5.887 · Cited by 1,728
Kennedy, E., Ohls, J. C., Carlson, S. J., & Fleming, K. E. (1995) · Journal of the American Dietetic Association · doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(95)00300-2 · Cited by 1,626
The polyvagal theory: phylogenetic substrates of a social nervous system.
Porges, S. W. (2001) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/s0167-8760(01)00162-3 · Cited by 1,582
The Relationship Between Self‐Compassion and Well‐Being: A Meta‐Analysis
Zessin, U., Dickhäuser, O., & Garbade, S. (2015) · Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12051 · Cited by 1,237
(2005) · doi:10.4324/9780203003459 · Cited by 1,041 · cited 3×
“Social Mentality Theory (SMT; Gilbert, 1989, 2005) posits that compassionate behavior is associated with parasympathetic nervous system activity and uncompassionate behavior with sympathetic activity.”
BackgroundFears of compassion: Development of three self‐report measures
Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Matos, M., & Rivis, A. (2011) · Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice · doi:10.1348/147608310x526511 · Cited by 973
The Self-Compassion Scale is a Valid and Theoretically Coherent Measure of Self-Compassion
Neff, K. D. (2016) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-015-0479-3 · Cited by 805
Self-citationNeff, K. D., & Pommier, E. (2013) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298868.2011.649546 · Cited by 651
Self-citationAlbertson, E. R., Neff, K. D., & Shackleford, K. E. (2014) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-014-0277-3 · Cited by 618
Self-citationDeterminants of salivary α-amylase in humans and methodological considerations
Rohleder, N., & Nater, U. M. (2009) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.12.004 · Cited by 604
Self-citationGilbert, P. (1989) · Psychology Press eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315804736 · Cited by 542
Muris, P., & Petrocchi, N. (2017) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2005 · Cited by 498 · cited 7×
“Muris and Petrocchi (2017) do in fact argue that the definition of self-compassion should be changed so that it does not include reduced levels of negative self-responding alongside increased levels of positive behavior.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSmeets, E., Neff, K., Alberts, H., & Peters, M. (2014) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.22076 · Cited by 469
Self-citationHaving a word with yourself: neural correlates of self-criticism and self-reassurance.
Longe, O., Maratos, F. A., Gilbert, P., Evans, G., Volker, F., Rockliff, H., & Rippon, G. (2010) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.09.019 · Cited by 403
Neff, K. D., Tóth-Király, I., Yarnell, L. M., Arimitsu, K., Castilho, P., Ghorbani, N., Guo, H. X., Hirsch, J. K., Hupfeld, J., Hutz, C. S., et al. (2019) · Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1037/pas0000629 · Cited by 397
Self-citationThe benefits of self-compassion and optimism exercises for individuals vulnerable to depression
Shapira, L. B., & Mongrain, M. (2010) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2010.516763 · Cited by 381 · cited 1×
“…failure (Albertson, Neff, & DillShackleford, 2015; Diedrich, Hofmann, Cuijpers, & Berking, 2016; Johnson & O’Brien, 2013; Leary et al., 2007; Mosewich, Crocker, Kowalski, & DeLongis, 2013; Neff & Germer, 2013; Odou & Brinker, 2015; Shapira & Mongrain, 2010; Smeets, Neff, Alberts, & Peters, 2014).”
A Reconsideration of the Self-Compassion Scale’s Total Score: Self-Compassion versus Self-Criticism
López, A., Sanderman, R., Smink, A., Zhang, Y., van Sonderen, E., Ranchor, A., & Schroevers, M. J. (2015) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132940 · Cited by 380
Cash, M., & Whittingham, K. (2010) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-010-0023-4 · Cited by 371 · cited 1×
“These two subscales are generally found to be stronger predictors of psychopathology than the positive subscales, although the latter also make a contribution (Baer et al., 2008; Cash & Whittingham, 2010).”
Williams, M. J., Dalgleish, T., Karl, A., & Kuyken, W. (2014) · Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1037/a0035566 · Cited by 321
Costa, J., Marôco, J., Pinto‐Gouveia, J., Ferreira, C., & Castilho, P. (2016) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.1974 · Cited by 289
Applying Self-Compassion in Sport: An Intervention With Women Athletes
Mosewich, A. D., Crocker, P. R. E., Kowalski, K. C., & DeLongis, A. (2013) · Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1123/jsep.35.5.514 · Cited by 270
Neff, K. D., Whittaker, T. A., & Karl, A. (2017) · Journal of Personality Assessment · doi:10.1080/00223891.2016.1269334 · Cited by 266
Self-citationJohnson, E. A., & O'Brien, K. A. (2013) · Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1521/jscp.2013.32.9.939 · Cited by 263
Two is more valid than one: Examining the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS).
Brenner, R. E., Heath, P. J., Vogel, D. L., & Credé, M. (2017) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/cou0000211 · Cited by 246
Self‐compassion training for binge eating disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Kelly, A. C., & Carter, J. C. (2015) · Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice · doi:10.1111/papt.12044 · Cited by 233
(1990) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.27-3551 · Cited by 192
Self-compassion as a predictor of interleukin-6 response to acute psychosocial stress
Breines, J. G., Thoma, M. V., Gianferante, D., Hanlin, L., Chen, X., & Rohleder, N. (2014) · Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2013.11.006 · Cited by 181
Self-citationDiedrich, A., Hofmann, S. G., Cuijpers, P., & Berking, M. (2016) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2016.04.003 · Cited by 164 · cited 2×
“This effect is echoed in experimental research showing that activation of the three positive components decrease emotional responses closely tied to the three negative components, such as anxiety, depression, shame, negative affect, and self-criticism (Diedrich et al., 2016; Johnson & O’Brien, 2013; Leary, Tate, Adams…”
Neff, K. D. (2016) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0531-y · Cited by 158
Self-citationTeaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals
Miles, C. (2021) · Forensic Update · doi:10.53841/bpsfu.2021.1.136.113 · Cited by 142
An Investigation of the Factor Structure of the Self-Compassion Scale
Cleare, S., Gumley, A. I., Cleare, C. J., & O’Connor, R. C. (2017) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-017-0803-1 · Cited by 125
Healthy Eating Index and abdominal obesity
Tande, D. L., Magel, R. C., & Strand, B. N. (2009) · Public Health Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s1368980009990723 · Cited by 110
Hildebrandt, L. K., McCall, C., & Singer, T. (2017) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-017-0716-z · Cited by 108
Breines, J. G., McInnis, C. M., Kuras, Y. I., Thoma, M. V., Gianferante, D., Hanlin, L., Chen, X., & Rohleder, N. (2015) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298868.2015.1005659 · Cited by 92
Self-citationNeff, K. D., Tóth‐Király, I., & Colosimo, K. (2018) · European Journal of Personality · doi:10.1002/per.2148 · Cited by 91
Self-citationExploratory Structural Equation Modeling Analysis of the Self-Compassion Scale
Tóth‐Király, I., Bőthe, B., & Orosz, G. (2016) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0662-1 · Cited by 86
Self-citationWorking on self-compassion online: a proof of concept and feasibility study
Krieger, T., Martig, D. S., van den Brink, E., & Berger, T. (2016) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2016.10.001 · Cited by 81
Przezdziecki, A., & Sherman, K. A. (2016) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0557-1 · Cited by 70
Self-compassion, a better alternative to rumination than distraction as a response to negative mood
Odou, N., & Brinker, J. (2015) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2014.967800 · Cited by 55
Affect and motivation are critical in constructive meditation
Engen, H. G., & Singer, T. (2016) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.11.004 · Cited by 31
A rapid solid-phase fluorimetric assay for measuring bacterial adherence, using DNA-binding stains
Bosch, J. A., Veerman, E. C. I., Turkenburg, M., Hartog, K., Bolscher, J. G. M., & Amerongen, A. V. N. (2003) · Journal of Microbiological Methods · doi:10.1016/s0167-7012(02)00220-8 · Cited by 14
Research works printed but not linked: 6
- 10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218 · DOI · Paper page
- Hildebrandt L. K., 2017, Mindfulness, 1
- 10.1111/papt.2015.88.issue-3 · DOI
- Lee I. A., 2013, Calculation for the test of the difference between two dependent correlations with one variable in common
- 10.1002/cpp.v24.2 · DOI
- Neff K. D., 2017, Journal of Personality Assessment, 1, 1
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Self-compassion: Theory, method, research, and intervention
Neff, K. D. (2023) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-032420-031047 · Cited by 931
Self-citationNeff, K. D., Tóth-Király, I., Yarnell, L. M., Arimitsu, K., Castilho, P., Ghorbani, N., Guo, H. X., Hirsch, J. K., Hupfeld, J., Hutz, C. S., et al. (2019) · Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1037/pas0000629 · Cited by 397
Self-citationThe Development and Validation of the State Self-Compassion Scale (Long- and Short Form)
Neff, K. D., Tóth-Király, I., Knox, M. C., Kuchar, A., & Davidson, O. (2021) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01505-4 · Cited by 309
Self-citationDevelopment and Validation of the Self-Compassion Scale for Youth
Neff, K. D., Bluth, K., Tóth‐Király, I., Davidson, O., Knox, M. C., Williamson, Z. H., & Costigan, A. (2020) · Journal of Personality Assessment · doi:10.1080/00223891.2020.1729774 · Cited by 219
Self-citationMuris, P., & Otgaar, H. (2020) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01363-0 · Cited by 162
Metadata
- Authors
- Neff, K. D., Long, P., Knox, M. C., Davidson, O., Kuchar, A., Costigan, A., Williamson, Z., Rohleder, N., Tóth-Király, I., & Breines, J. G.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Brandeis University (US)
- Doctoral School of Psychology and Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- University of Rhode Island (US)
- Corresponding author
- Neff, Kristin D.
- Venue
- Self and Identity
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2018-10-07
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 627-645
- ISSN
- 1529-8868 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-8876
- OpenAlex
- W2901159435
- Cited by
- 234
- References
- 56
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 21.91
- 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 › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Keywords
- self-compassion, Self-Compassion Scale, psychological functioning, psychopathology, emotional intelligence, self-concept, body image, motivation, interpersonal functioning, stress, sympathetic nervous system, salivary amylase, interleukin-6, inflammation
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
