Life satisfaction and self-compassion: a structural equation modeling

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between life satisfaction and self-compassion. Participants were 381 (193 female and 188 male) university students, between age range of 17–26, who completed a questionnaire package that includes the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Self-compassion Scale. The relationships between life satisfaction and self-compassion were examined using correlation analysis and the hypothesis model was tested through structural equation modeling. In correlation analysis, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness were found positively and self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification factors of self-compassion were found negatively related to life satisfaction. The model demonstrated fit (χ2=34.39, df=9, χ2/df= 3.82, p=.00008, AGFI=.92, GFI=.97, CFI=.97, NFI=.96, NNFI=. 93, IFI=.97, RFI=.91, SRMR=.072, and RMSEA=.090). According to path analysis results, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness were predicted positively by life satisfaction. Moreover life satisfaction predicted self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification in a negative way.