Self-compassion Improves Parental Well-being in Response to Challenging Parenting Events

Sirois, Fuschia M.; Bögels, Susan; Emerson, Lisa-Marie

Abstract

Shame and guilt are common during the course of parenting and can reflect feelings of “bad self “and “bad behaviour” in relation to parenting events. Self-compassion is known to be beneficial for well-being by reducing negative emotions, yet there is little research examining whether self-compassion might reduce parental guilt and shame. The current study examined the effects of dispositional and induced self-compassion on guilt and shame in a sample of 167 parents (Mage = 37.23, SD = 6.73, 83.1% female) of children ≤12 years recruited online. After completing baseline measures, parents were randomly assigned to recall a guilt versus shame provoking parenting event, and randomly allocated to either a self-compassion prompt versus a control condition. Analyses confirmed that those who received the self-compassion prompt reported higher levels of self-compassion, and reduced feelings of guilt and shame compared to the control group. Effects did not differ as a function of the guilt versus shame instructions. Multivariate analyses revealed that, when controlling for dispositional self-compassion, and baseline guilt and shame, differences between conditions were maintained for post-manipulation guilt and shame. Findings extend our understanding of the role of self-compassion for improving well-being when dealing with the challenges of parenting.

Citation

Sirois, F. M., Bögels, S., & Emerson, L. (2018). Self-compassion Improves Parental Well-being in Response to Challenging Parenting Events. The Journal of Psychology, 153(3), https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2018.1523123

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 6, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Oct 30, 2017
• Publication Date: 2018
• Deposit Date: Jul 4, 2022
• Journal: The Journal of Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0022-3980
• Electronic ISSN: 1940-1019
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Volume: 153
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2018.1523123
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1199776