Abstract
Self-compassion is consistently associated with physical activity (PA) -related psychological constructs, yet findings regarding self-compassion’s direct association with PA are inconsistent. Knowledge syntheses to date have been quantitative; a synthesis of qualitative research should help provide a nuanced understanding of self-compassion as it relates to PA. The objectives of this qualitative scoping review were to: 1) characterize existing qualitative studies that examine self-compassion and PA, and 2) describe findings that illustrate the conditions or contexts in which self-compassion may be associated with PA.
Using a peer-reviewed search strategy, we retrieved qualitative studies published between 2003 and 2024 from MEDLINE and PsycINFO that explored the relationship between self-compassion and PA in any population. At least two reviewers independently screened all studies in duplicate. Of the 4,024 studies retrieved, 14 met the eligibility criteria, representing 380 participants (ages 10–77; 86% women; majority White).
A descriptive analysis showed the included studies represented diverse contexts and philosophical perspectives. Our deductive-inductive content analysis generated six themes related to the components and opposing constructs of self-compassion: (1) mindfulness versus over-identification, (2) self-kindness versus self-criticism, and (3) common humanity versus isolation. Two sub-themes under self-kindness represent the fierce (“Yang”) and gentle (“Yin”) expressions of self-compassion. Each theme illustrates how the components of self-compassion promote PA and how the opposing constructs could detract from PA.
This qualitative review adds depth to previous quantitative findings by illustrating how self-compassion may support PA engagement in context-specific and multifaceted ways.
