Contribution of self‐compassion to positive mental health among Korean university students

Although evidence suggests self-compassion can serve as an important predictor of positive mental health, few studies have examined the contribution of self-compassion to mental health. This study examined the relations between six components of self-compassion and three dimensions of positive mental health (Psychological, Emotional and Social Well-being) in young Korean adults. A sample of 689 Korean college students were administered the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) to evaluate self-compassion and positive mental health. A multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) analysis revealed that Self-Kindness significantly predicted all dimensions of positive mental health. Additionally, Over-Identification significantly contributed to Emotional Well-being, Common Humanity to Social Well-being and Isolation to Psychological Well-being. These results suggest Self-Kindness is a key predictor of positive mental health and that specific components of self-compassion are strongly related to specific dimensions of mental health in Koreans.