The DOI matches its Crossref record; 142 of the 142 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, Research, and Intervention
Open accessAbstract
Self-compassion refers to being supportive toward oneself when experiencing suffering or pain-be it caused by personal mistakes and inadequacies or external life challenges. This review presents my theoretical model of self-compassion as comprised of six different elements: increased self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness as well as reduced self-judgment, isolation, and overidentification. It discusses the methodology of self-compassion research and reviews the increasingly large number of empirical studies that indicate self-compassion is a productive way of approaching distressing thoughts and emotions that engenders mental and physical well-being. It also reviews research that dispels common myths about self-compassion (e.g., that it is weak, selfish, self-indulgent or undermines motivation). Interventions designed to increase self-compassion, such as compassion-focused therapy and mindful self-compassion, are discussed. Finally, the review considers problematic issues in the field, such as the differential effects fallacy, and considers limitations and future research directions in the field of self-compassion research.
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“Self-compassion is associated with positive mental health, resilience, and decreased self-criticism and shame (Clarke and Hartley, 2024; Neff, 2023).”
From Exploring relationships between self-compassion, impostor phenomenon, and mental health among doctoral students (2025) · cites this paper as Neff, 2023
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“However, through normalizing struggle, self-compassionate doctoral students may be more likely to seek support and foster a sense of connectedness with peers and faculty (Neff, 2023; Posselt, 2018).”
From Exploring relationships between self-compassion, impostor phenomenon, and mental health among doctoral students (2025) · cites this paper as Neff, 2023
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“Review evidence has shown a significant and negative association between self-compassion and a range of mental health symptoms, including depression [44], anxiety [44], and stress [45].”
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Cites
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037//0003-066x.56.3.218 · Cited by 18,025
The 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
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-citationNolen-Hoeksema, S., Wisco, B. E., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2008) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1745-6924.2008.00088.x · Cited by 5,172
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Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self-Compassion Scale
Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff, K. D., & Van Gucht, D. (2011) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.702 · Cited by 2,997
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-citationCompassion: an evolutionary analysis and empirical review
Goetz, J. L., Keltner, D., & Simon-Thomas, E. (2010) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0018807 · Cited by 2,200
The construction of the self: a developmental perspective
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Exploring 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
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- Neff KD., 2021, Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive
- Neff KD, 2022, The development and validation of the Self-Compassion Scale-Revised (long and short form)
- Neff KD, 2022, How self-compassion works: An experimental examination of change in the components of self-compassion and their association with positive and negative affect
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Cited by
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Muris, P., & Otgaar, H. (2023) · Psychology Research and Behavior Management · doi:10.2147/prbm.s402455 · Cited by 171
Psychological Flexibility, Chronic Pain, and Health
McCracken, L. M. (2023) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-020223-124335 · Cited by 89
A Comprehensive Overview of the Neural Mechanisms of Light Therapy
Huang, X., Tao, Q., & Ren, C. (2023) · Neuroscience Bulletin · doi:10.1007/s12264-023-01089-8 · Cited by 73
Kuchar, A. L., Neff, K. D., & Mosewich, A. D. (2023) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102426 · Cited by 63
Sahdra, B. K., Ciarrochi, J., Fraser, M. I., Yap, K., Haller, E., Hayes, S. C., Hofmann, S. G., & Gloster, A. T. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02187-4 · Cited by 68
Metadata
- Authors
- Neff, K. D.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Corresponding author
- Neff, Kristin D.
- ORCID
- Neff, Kristin D.
- Venue
- Annual Review of Psychology
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2023-01-18
- Volume
- 74
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 193-218
- ISSN
- 0066-4308 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-2085
- OpenAlex
- W4290932423
- Cited by
- 931
- References
- 142
- Citations by year
- 2026: 266 · 2025: 321 · 2024: 221 · 2023: 115
- FWCI
- 27.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Annual Review of Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Forgiveness and Related Behaviors
- Keywords
- self-compassion, self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness, self-judgment, isolation, over-identification, compassion-focused therapy, mindful self-compassion, self-compassion interventions, well-being
- MeSH terms
- Self-Compassion, Emotions, Empathy, Humans, Judgment, Mindfulness
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