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Self‐compassion moderates the predictive effects of implicit cognitions on subjective well‐being
Author(s) -
Phillips Wendy J.,
Hine Donald W.,
Marks Anthony D.G.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
stress and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1532-2998
pISSN - 1532-3005
DOI - 10.1002/smi.2773
Subject(s) - preconscious , psychology , cognition , self compassion , life satisfaction , depressive symptoms , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , social psychology , mindfulness , unconscious mind , neuroscience , psychoanalysis
Abstract This study examined whether self‐compassion may regulate the effects of implicit cognitions (automatic and preconscious responses) on the subjective well‐being of Australian adults ( N = 132). As hypothesized, self‐compassion moderated the predictive effects of 2 implicit cognitions (positive attention bias and implicit self‐esteem) on 2 indicators of subjective well‐being (life satisfaction and depressive symptoms). Low implicit self‐esteem and weak positive attention bias predicted more depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction only for participants who were low in self‐compassion. These results extend previous research knowledge by indicating that self‐compassion may not only buffer the impact of explicit (deliberate and conscious) cognitive processes on well‐being but may also regulate the effects of preconscious cognitive processes on mental health outcomes. Theoretical and treatment implications are discussed.