Exploring self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being in young women athletes

Abstract

Self-compassion – treating oneself with kindness and understanding in the face of pain and failure (Neff, 2003) – is recognized as a way to foster a healthy attitude toward the self and is emerging as a potential resource to transform young women athletes’ difficult experiences in sport (Mosewich et al., 2011).  Although associated with a variety of well-being indices, self-compassion has largely been neglected in the eudaimonic tradition that reflects psychological flourishing at one’s maximal potential (Ryff, 1989, 1995).  Using a mixed methods research design, we explored self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being in young women athletes.  In a quantitative study (n = 83), we found that self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being were positively related (r = .76, p < .01).  A model of multiple mediation was proposed, with self-compassion, passivity, responsibility, initiative, and self-determination accounting for 83% of the variance in eudaimonic well-being.  In a qualitative study (n = 11), we explored when and how self-compassion might be useful in striving to reach one’s potential in sport.  Self-compassion was described as advantageous in difficult sport situations by increasing positivity, perseverance, and responsibility, as well as decreasing rumination.  Findings speak to the potential protective and reparative functions of self-compassion, and further support self-compassion as beneficial during emotionally difficult situations (Leary et al., 2007; Neff, 2003).  However, apprehensions about fully embracing a self-compassionate mindset in sport warrant additional research to explore the seemingly paradoxical role of self-compassion in young women athletes’ eudaimonic well-being.

Acknowledgments: Supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)