Background
Previous cross‐sectional studies have examined the relationship between self‐compassion and depression. Although it is often implicitly assumed that self‐compassion may increase the vulnerability of an individual to depression, only a few studies have assessed whether self‐compassion is a cause or a consequence of depression or both.
Method
To examine such reciprocal effects, we assessed self‐compassion and depression via self‐report measures. At the baseline assessment (Time 1, T1), 450 students (M = 13.72, SD = 0.83, 54.2% females) participated 10 months after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. We reassessed the T1 sample after 6‐ and 12‐month intervals. At Time 2 (T2) assessment, 398 (56.0% female participants) of the Wave 1 participants were retained, and at Time 3 (T3) assessment, 235 (52.5% female participants) of the T1 and T2 participants were retained.
Results
Cross‐lagged analyses indicated that positive self‐compassion could significantly reduce subsequent depression. However, depression did not significantly predict later positive self‐compassion. Negative self‐compassion at T1 increased depression at T2, but negative self‐compassion at T2 did not significantly predict depression at T3. In addition, positive self‐compassion significantly reduced subsequent negative self‐compassion.
Conclusions
Positive self‐compassion appears to protect adolescents against depression and maintain this protection over time, whereas negative self‐compassion may worsen depression in adolescents during the initial stages of traumatic events. Additionally, positive self‐compassion may decrease the level of negative self‐compassion.
Background
Gender differences in problematic Internet use (PIU) have long been discussed. However, whether and how female and male adolescents differ in central symptoms and symptom associations are not fully understood.
Methods
As a national survey in the Chinese mainland, 4884 adolescents (51.6% females; Mage = 13.83 ± 2.41) participated in the present study. This study applies network analysis to identify central symptoms of PIU networks in female and male adolescents and compares whether and how global and local connectivity of PIU networks differ by gender.
Results
Female and male network structures of PIU were different and global strength was stronger in males than females, indicating a higher risk of chronicity of PIU among male adolescents. Specifically, “Reluctant to turn off Internet” exerted the largest effect on both genders. “Increase time online to achieve satisfaction” and “Feel depressed once not online for a while” were particularly critical to female and male adolescents, respectively. Moreover, females scored higher centralities in social withdrawal symptoms and males did so in interpersonal conflicts owing to PIU.
Conclusions
These findings provide novel insights into gender differential risks and features of adolescent PIU. Differences in the core symptoms of PIU suggest that gender-specific interventions focusing on core symptoms might effectively relieve PIU and maximize treatment effects.
Objective
This study examined the mediating roles of empathy and self-compassion in the relationship between parental attachment, prosocial behavior, and antisocial behavior among Chinese adolescents after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake.
Methods
A total of 411 adolescents (M = 14.73, SD = 0.91) were assessed 16 months after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake using self-report questionnaires of trauma exposure, parental attachment, empathy, self-compassion, prosocial behavior, and antisocial behavior.
Results
The parental attachment had a positive effect on prosocial behavior via empathy and positive self-compassion, as well as via an indirect path from empathy to positive self-compassion. Parental attachment had a negative effect on antisocial behavior via empathy and negative self-compassion, and had an indirect path from empathy to negative self-compassion.
Conclusions
These findings indicate that enhancing parental attachment may promote prosocial behavior and reduce antisocial behavior of post-earthquake adolescents. Empathy and self-compassion play significant mediating roles between parental attachment, prosocial behavior, and antisocial behavior.
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