To test the hypothesis that self-compassion predicts better physical health and that this is partially mediated through health-promoting behaviours, 147 adults completed selfreport measures of self-compassion, health-promoting behaviours and physical health.Self-compassion and health-promoting behaviours were negatively associated with physical symptom scores. Self-compassion was positively associated with healthpromoting behaviours. A bootstrapped mediation model confirmed a significant direct effect of self-compassion on physical health through health-promoting behaviours (R 2 = 0.13, b = -8.98, p = 0.015), which was partially mediated through health-promoting behaviours (R 2 = 0.06, b = -3.16, 95% CI [-6.78, -.86]). Findings underscore the potential health-promoting benefits of self-compassion.

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