Self-compassion among Undergraduate Nursing Students at a State University in Indonesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To determine the level of self-compassion and investigate the relationships between sociodemographic variables and self-compassion among undergraduate nursing students at a state university in Indonesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. Samples were selected using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique (n=260). Data were collected using an Indonesian version of the Self-compassion Scale, which consists of 6 subscales: self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, and overidentification. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis. Results: 60% of students had moderate self-compassion. Students scored the highest in self-kindness (3,93±1,02) and over-identification (3,58±0,94), indicating that they often tried to love themselves when they felt emotional pain and often get carried away when something upsetting happened. Subsequently, a significant correlation was found between age and self-compassion (p<0.05). Conclusion: Self-compassion among nursing students should be improved through interventions such as compassion literacy, mindfulness training, and compassion-based experiential techniques.