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Research shows that sociotropy, autonomy, and self-criticism are cognitive-personality vulnerability styles contributing significantly to the development of depression symptoms, but little is known about the factors that may protect sociotropic, autonomous, and self-critical individuals against mental health problems. The present study examined self-compassion components (i.e., self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) as potential moderators to protect these individuals from developing depression. On the basis of survey data from 345 Chinese adults in Hong Kong, the relationships between cognitive-personality vulnerability styles, self-compassion components, and depression were examined. The results of the present study show that when the effect of gender and the 2 other self-compassion components were controlled, self-kindness and mindfulness could moderate the association between autonomy and depression, and the association between self-criticism and depression, while common humanity could moderate the association between self-criticism and depression. Unexpectedly, interaction between sociotropy and mindfulness was found, with the association between sociotropy and depression being stronger among individuals with high mindfulness than it was with individuals with low mindfulness. These results suggest the differentiating role of the 3 self-compassion components in buffering autonomous and self-critical individuals from depression. Applications of self-compassion and the hypothesized moderation model in future psychological interventions are discussed. (Contains 2 tables.)

The present study tested whether the relationships among resilience, life satisfaction, and depression could be explained by positive views toward the self, the world, and the future (positive cognitive triad). Structural equation modeling and mediation analyses were conducted based on 1,419 college students in Hong Kong. The model of positive cognitive triad as mediator between resilience and well-being fit the data (comparative fit index = 0.94, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.93, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.08). Findings showed resilience to be significantly related to positive cognitions about the self, the world, and the future. Individuals who had higher level of resilience held significantly more positive cognitions and reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and lower levels of depression. The utility of the positive cognitive triad as the mechanism through which resilience enhances well-being was supported. Applications in cultivating resilience and positive cognitions in counseling services are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 2 tables.)