How is Trait Self-Compassion Used During Appearance-Related Distress by Late Adolescents and Emerging Adults With Positive or Negative Body Image? A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Having a positive body image contributes to adolescents’ and emerging adults’ psychological well-being. One approach to protecting one’s body image from appearance threats involves adopting a self-compassionate perspective. This study explored how six different facets of trait self-compassion are used by late adolescents and emerging adults to cope with appearance-related distress. Following Institutional Review Board approval, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 female and 14 male undergraduates (M_age = 18.77 years, SD = 1.77 years) who reported either positive or negative body image and high or low self-compassion. Adopting a descriptive/confirmative approach, data were analyzed via an a priori coding system based on the six facets of self-compassion. Only one self-compassion facet, self-kindness, was reportedly used to counteract body-related distress, and only by those with a positive body image. Most participants with negative body image engaged in self-judgment, with some expressing a fear of self-kindness. Despite being acknowledged by all, the facet of common humanity was not used for appearance-related affect regulation. Participants showed limited practice of the mindfulness facet. Together, the findings show that scope remains for achieving reductions in body image distress, and corresponding gains in resilience, through self-compassion interventions.