Self-compassion is linked to positive affect and buffers declines in self-esteem
- 1University of Luebeck, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Lübeck, Germany
Abstract
Successes and failures shape affective experiences and self-esteem. Self-compassion has been proposed as a protective factor, allowing individuals to acknowledge both strengths and shortcomings without excessive self-criticism. However, the mechanisms through which self-compassion influences changes in affect and self-esteem remain poorly understood. Here, we experimentally tested whether self-compassion modulates the links between performance feedback, affective experience and performance self-esteem. Participants completed an effortful performance task and received trial-by-trial feedback while repeatedly rating their positive affect, and reported on their state self-esteem both before and after the task. Results showed that self-compassion buffered against declines in performance self-esteem among poorly performing individuals, predicted higher overall positive affect throughout the task, and was associated with increased post-task performance self-esteem. Moreover, performance feedback predicted positive affect, and positive affect predicted post-task performance self-esteem, although these pathways were not moderated by self-compassion. Together, these findings add to the growing evidence of how self-compassion impacts positive affect and performance self-esteem, and may inform treatment strategies for clinical populations characterized by low self-esteem or heightened self-criticism.
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BibTeX
@article{weis2026selfcompassion,
title = {{Self-compassion is linked to positive affect and buffers declines in self-esteem}},
author = {Jan F. Weis and Sören Krach and Frieder M. Paulus and David S. Stolz},
journal = {Royal Society Open Science},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1098/rsos.260044},
url = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/13/9/260044/483419/Self-compassion-is-linked-to-positive-affect-and},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Self-compassion is linked to positive affect and buffers declines in self-esteem
AU - Jan F. Weis
AU - Sören Krach
AU - Frieder M. Paulus
AU - David S. Stolz
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Royal Society Open Science
DO - 10.1098/rsos.260044
UR - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/13/9/260044/483419/Self-compassion-is-linked-to-positive-affect-and
AB - Successes and failures shape affective experiences and self-esteem. Self-compassion has been proposed as a protective factor, allowing individuals to acknowledge both strengths and shortcomings without excessive self-criticism. However, the mechanisms through which self-compassion influences changes in affect and self-esteem remain poorly understood. Here, we experimentally tested whether self-compassion modulates the links between performance feedback, affective experience and performance self-esteem. Participants completed an effortful performance task and received trial-by-trial feedback while repeatedly rating their positive affect, and reported on their state self-esteem both before and after the task. Results showed that self-compassion buffered against declines in performance self-esteem among poorly performing individuals, predicted higher overall positive affect throughout the task, and was associated with increased post-task performance self-esteem. Moreover, performance feedback predicted positive affect, and positive affect predicted post-task performance self-esteem, although these pathways were not moderated by self-compassion. Together, these findings add to the growing evidence of how self-compassion impacts positive affect and performance self-esteem, and may inform treatment strategies for clinical populations characterized by low self-esteem or heightened self-criticism.
SN - 2054-5703
ER -