In light of cognitive flexibility and unconditional self-acceptance: the association between self-compassion and depression
- 1Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Türkiye
Abstract
Introduction: This study examined the relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms, focusing on the mediating roles of cognitive flexibility and unconditional self-acceptance. Although self-compassion is recognized as a protective factor against depression, the underlying psychological mechanisms remain insufficiently understood.
Methods: A quantitative relational design was employed with a sample of 318 Turkish adults aged 18–65 years (76.1% female). Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling methods, and data were collected via online surveys. Participants completed validated scales measuring self-compassion, depression, unconditional self-acceptance, and cognitive flexibility. Mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro (Model 4) in SPSS to test direct and indirect effects.
Results: Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms (r = −0.56, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses showed that cognitive flexibility significantly mediated this relationship, whereas unconditional self-acceptance demonstrated a weaker indirect effect.
Discussion: Higher self-compassion was associated with lower depressive symptoms, partly through cognitive flexibility and, to a lesser extent, unconditional self-acceptance. These findings highlight the role of cognitive and self-evaluative processes in understanding the relationship between self-compassion and depression.
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BibTeX
@article{turgut2026light,
title = {{In light of cognitive flexibility and unconditional self-acceptance: the association between self-compassion and depression}},
author = {Beyza Nur Turgut and Eyüp Çelik},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1750895},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1750895},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - In light of cognitive flexibility and unconditional self-acceptance: the association between self-compassion and depression
AU - Beyza Nur Turgut
AU - Eyüp Çelik
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Frontiers in Psychology
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1750895
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1750895
AB - Introduction: This study examined the relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms, focusing on the mediating roles of cognitive flexibility and unconditional self-acceptance. Although self-compassion is recognized as a protective factor against depression, the underlying psychological mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Methods: A quantitative relational design was employed with a sample of 318 Turkish adults aged 18–65 years (76.1% female). Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling methods, and data were collected via online surveys. Participants completed validated scales measuring self-compassion, depression, unconditional self-acceptance, and cognitive flexibility. Mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro (Model 4) in SPSS to test direct and indirect effects. Results: Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms (r = −0.56, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses showed that cognitive flexibility significantly mediated this relationship, whereas unconditional self-acceptance demonstrated a weaker indirect effect. Discussion: Higher self-compassion was associated with lower depressive symptoms, partly through cognitive flexibility and, to a lesser extent, unconditional self-acceptance. These findings highlight the role of cognitive and self-evaluative processes in understanding the relationship between self-compassion and depression.
SN - 1664-1078
ER -