CONTRIBUTION OF SELF-COMPASSION TO COMPETENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS

Abstract

This study examined the potential contribution of self-compassion to perceived competence and mental health in master's of social work students (N=65). It was hypothesized that the components of self-compassion (i.e., mindfulness, common humanity, self-kindness, overidentification, isolation, and self-judgment) would impact perceived competence (sense of coherence), which in turn would mediate mental health (depressive symptom level). Students completed the Self-Compassion Scale, the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire, and the California Psychological Inventory–Depression Scale. Results showed that overidentification directly and indirectly (as mediated by decreased coherence) affected depressive symptom level. Implications for social work education are discussed.