Self-Compassion: A Potential Resource for Young Women Athletes

Self-compassion has demonstrated many psychological benefits (Neff, 2009). In an effort to explore self-compassion as a potential resource for young women athletes, we explored relations among self-compassion, proneness to self-conscious emotions (i.e., shame, guilt-free shame, guilt, shame-free guilt, authentic pride, and hubristic pride), and potentially unhealthy self-evaluative thoughts and behaviors (i.e., social physique anxiety, obligatory exercise, objectified body consciousness, fear of failure, and fear of negative evaluation). Young women athletes (N = 151; Mage = 15.1 years) participated in this study. Self-compassion was negatively related to shame proneness, guilt-free shame proneness, social physique anxiety, objectified body consciousness, fear of failure, and fear of negative evaluation. In support of theoretical propositions, self-compassion explained variance beyond self-esteem on shame proneness, guilt-free shame proneness, shame-free guilt proneness, objectified body consciousness, fear of failure, and fear of negative evaluation. Results suggest that, in addition to self-esteem promotion, self-compassion development may be beneficial in cultivating positive sport experiences for young women.

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Self-Compassion: A Potential Buffer in an Evaluative Dance Environment

USURJ University of Saskatchewan Undergraduate Research Journal ◽

10.32396/usurj.v3i1.130 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lauren Tarasoff ◽

Leah Ferguson ◽

Kent Kowalski

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Negative Evaluation ◽

Fear Of Negative Evaluation ◽

Social Physique Anxiety ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Self Perceptions ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Correlational Research ◽

Anxiety Trait ◽

The Common

Common characteristics of the dance environment, including mirrored settings, tight-fitted clothing, and evaluation by others create an atmosphere that can negatively influence a ballet dancer’s body image and act as a barrier to participation (Radell, Adame, Cole, & Blumenkehl, 2011; Tiggemann & Slater, 2001). Thus, it is important to identify resources that can buffer against negative self-perceptions in an evaluative dance environment. The purpose of this study was to explore self-compassion in relation to self-evaluative thoughts and behaviours in an evaluative ballet environment. Participants (N = 57 women undergraduate students; Mage = 20.59 years, SD = 3.81) completed an online questionnaire containing measures of self-compassion, social physique anxiety (trait and state versions), fear of negative evaluation (trait and state versions), as well as reactions, thoughts, and emotions to a hypothetical first day of beginner ballet class scenario consistent with the common characteristics of the dance environment. Self-compassion was negatively related to trait and state social physique anxiety, trait and state fear of negative evaluation, total negative affect, personalizing thoughts, and catastrophizing thoughts, as well as positively associated with behavioural equanimity and thoughts of equanimity. Finding self-compassion to be associated with lower neegative self-perceptions within the context of an evaluative beginner ballet class replicates past correlational research and advances the literature by contextualizing self-compassion to a specific evaluative environment.

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Exploring Self-Compassion and Versions of Masculinity in Men Athletes

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.2019-0061 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 368-379

Author(s):

Nathan A. Reis ◽

Kent C. Kowalski ◽

Amber D. Mosewich ◽

Leah J. Ferguson

Keyword(s):

Gay Men ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Negative Evaluation ◽

Fear Of Negative Evaluation ◽

Self Report ◽

Internalized Shame ◽

Unique Variance ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Specific Scenario

Despite a growing emphasis on self-compassion in sport, little research has focused exclusively on men athletes. The purpose of this research was to explore the interaction of self-compassion and diverse versions of masculinity on the psychosocial well-being of men athletes. The authors sampled 172 men athletes (Mage = 22.8 yr) from a variety of sports, using descriptive methodology with self-report questionnaires. Self-compassion was related to most variables (e.g., psychological well-being, fear of negative evaluation, state self-criticism, internalized shame, reactions to a hypothetical sport-specific scenario) in hypothesized directions and predicted unique variance beyond self-esteem across most of those variables, as well as moderated relationships between masculinity and both autonomy and attitudes toward gay men. In addition, self-compassion was differentially related to inclusive and hegemonic masculinity. Our findings support self-compassion as a promising resource for men athletes to buffer emotionally difficult sport experiences.

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Exploring Self-Compassion and Eudaimonic Well-Being in Young Women Athletes

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.2013-0096 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 203-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Leah J. Ferguson ◽

Kent C. Kowalski ◽

Diane E. Mack ◽

Catherine M. Sabiston

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Women Athletes ◽

Quantitative Study ◽

Young Women ◽

Mixed Methods Research ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Determination ◽

Multiple Mediation ◽

Self Compassion

Using a mixed methods research design, we explored self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being in young women athletes. In a quantitative study (n = 83), we found that self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being were positively related (r = .76, p < .01). A model of multiple mediation was proposed, with self-compassion, passivity, responsibility, initiative, and self-determination accounting for 83% of the variance in eudaimonic well-being. In a qualitative study (n = 11), we explored when and how self-compassion might be useful in striving to reach one’s potential in sport. Self-compassion was described as advantageous in difficult sport-specific situations by increasing positivity, perseverance, and responsibility, as well as decreasing rumination. Apprehensions about fully embracing a self-compassionate mindset in sport warrant additional research to explore the seemingly paradoxical role of self-compassion in eudaimonic well-being.

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