The Role of Self-compassion and Alexithymia in Predicting Perceived Social Support

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc. in General Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

2 Assistant professor,, Department of Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Mashhad. Iran

3 MSc. Student of Clinical Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between self-compassion and alexithymia in predicting perceived social support. A convenience sample of 181 adults (138 females and 52 males) from Mashhad completed validated measures including the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form (SCS-SF), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS). Data were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise regression. The results showed that perceived social support was positively correlated with self-compassion and negatively correlated with alexithymia. In addition, self-compassion was found to have a negative and significant relationship with alexithymia. A stepwise regression model with self-compassion and alexithymia as predictors explained 6.5% of the variance in perceived social support. The results indicate that an increase in self-compassion and a decrease in alexithymia lead to an increase in perceived social support. Self-compassion has a greater impact on the prediction of perceived social support. Therefore, individuals who have higher levels of self-compassion and emotional expression tend to perceive higher levels of social support.

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 January 2024
  • Revise Date: 29 January 2024
  • Accept Date: 31 January 2024
  • First Publish Date: 08 February 2024

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