Does self-compassion or self-esteem mediate the relationship between attachment and symptoms of depression and anxiety in a clinical adolescent population?
dc.contributor.advisor
Griffiths, Helen
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dc.contributor.advisor
Chan, Stella
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dc.contributor.advisor
Duffy, Fiona
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dc.contributor.author
Graham, Julie
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dc.date.accessioned
2018-10-16T09:32:06Z
dc.date.available
2018-10-16T09:32:06Z
dc.date.issued
2018-11-30
dc.description.abstract
Background: Self-compassion which may be shaped by early attachment experiences
involves being kind to oneself at times of difficulty and is consistently linked to
psychological well-being. Self-compassion may be particularly useful in adolescence during
which, difficulties associated with physiological and psychosocial transitions can lead to
psychological distress.
Aims: The aims of this thesis were twofold. First: to review the literature exploring the
relationship between self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents. Second: a
research study to investigate the emerging theory that self-compassion may offer a healthier
self-relating construct than self-esteem. The study examined whether self-compassion or self-esteem
mediated the relationship between attachment and depression and anxiety in
adolescents attending child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Method: A systematic search of articles related to the relationship between self-compassion
and psychological distress in adolescents was conducted. The quality of included papers was
assessed. In the research study, 53 adolescents (mean age 15.52 years; 75% female) attending
CAMHS presenting with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression were asked to complete five
self-report questionnaires measuring: self-compassion, self-esteem, quality of life,
satisfaction with attachment relationship and current symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Results: The systematic review revealed 25 studies for inclusion. Studies reported an inverse
relationship between self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents. Quality
ratings illustrated variation in methodological quality of included studies. In the research
study self-compassion and self-esteem were both negatively correlated with depression and
anxiety. The mediating impact of self-compassion was only apparent in the relationship
between attachment availability and depression, but not anxiety. Contrary to the hypothesis,
self-esteem mediated the relationship between attachment security and depression and
anxiety to a greater extent than self-compassion.
Conclusions: Self-compassion may have clinical implications in improving psychological
well-being among adolescents. Future studies with different measures of self-compassion;
varying study designs and consideration of contextual factors would increase understanding
of the relationship between self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents.
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dc.identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/1842/33100
dc.language.iso
en
dc.publisher
The University of Edinburgh
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dc.subject
self-compassion
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dc.subject
systematic review
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dc.subject
psychological distress in adolescents
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dc.subject
child and adolescent mental health services
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dc.subject
CAMHS
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dc.title
Does self-compassion or self-esteem mediate the relationship between attachment and symptoms of depression and anxiety in a clinical adolescent population?
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dc.type
Thesis or Dissertation
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dc.type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
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dc.type.qualificationname
DClinPsychol Doctor of Clinical Psychology
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