The effect of self-compassion on depression via rumination: A two wave longitudinal study

초록

This study examined whether self-compassion reduces depressive symptoms through the mediating role of rumination, while controlling for baseline levels of depression and rumination. A two-wave longitudinal survey was conducted with 389 South Korean university students (173 males, 44.5%) undergoing the transition from school to work. Self-compassion, rumination, and depression were assessed at two time points, six months apart. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized mediation model. Controlling for prior levels of rumination and depression, self-compassion at Time 1 significantly predicted lower rumination at Time 2 (beta = -0.227, p < .05), which in turn predicted lower depression at Time 2 (beta = 0.135, p < .05). The indirect effect of self-compassion on depression through rumination was statistically significant (beta = -0.031, 95% CI [-0.07, -0.009]), indicating full mediation. The findings suggest that self-compassion indirectly alleviates depressive symptoms by reducing ruminative thinking, even after accounting for baseline mental health. This supports the utility of self-compassion as a protective factor against depression during the school-to-work transition.

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