University of Twente Student Theses
An experience sampling study on self-compassion and stress response in the daily lives of university students
Feldbusch, Nele (2022) An experience sampling study on self-compassion and stress response in the daily lives of university students.
|
PDF
518kB |
| Abstract: | Background: Previous studies have shown that high levels of trait self-compassion buffer against stress responses in individuals. There is, however, little research on the influence of momentary levels of self-compassion, although it would be interesting to investigate as research shows high variability of self-compassion within a person over time. Additionally, the Lazarus stress response theory and past research pose that cognitive reappraisal might influence not only self-compassion but also stress response levels. Objective: This study investigated the association between stress response and self-compassion over time as well as on average by utilising Experience Sampling Method (ESM). Additionally, the association between state stress response and cognitive reappraisal was investigated. Methods: Data was collected from 31 participants (Mage= 21.5). To measure the trait levels, a one-time questionnaire including the SSCS-L, the SRS-10, and the ERQ was utilised. To capture the momentary fluctuations, daily repeated surveys, including the adjusted SSCS-S, the SNRS, the daily hassle scale and the ERQ, were utilised. This survey was administered 5 times a day over the course of 7 days in the app Ethica. Results: Linear Mixed Model (LMM)analysis revealed a significant negative association between stress response and both state (β= -.44, p< .001) and average state self-compassion (β= -.54, p< .001). There was no significant within-subject association between state stress response and cognitive reappraisal (β=-.02, p= .057). Additionally, state stress response was significantly negative related to self-compassion both between and within subjects, tough the within-subject level had a higher predictive value. Conclusion: This study shows novel insights into the association between self-compassion and stress response in students' daily lives, providing a theoretical ground for further studies. Showing a negative relationship, this study could either predict that self-compassion functioned as a buffer or show that students became harsher and less self-compassioned when experiencing a stress response. Furthermore, it was shown that both state and average weekly state self-compassion levels were able to predict stress response. Nevertheless, state self-compassion significantly varied on the within-person level, suggesting that further studies should focus on both trait and state self-compassion. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/91426 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
Show download statistics for this publication
Show download statistics for this publicationRepository Staff Only: item control page