Self-Compassion and Interpersonal Relationship Quality Among University Students: Mediating Role of Cognitive Distortions

Abstract

Self-compassion, as a tool for coping and social functioning, has been gaining support as an intrapersonal resource, whereas cognitive distortions are maladaptive patterns of thinking that may affect the bias in the interpretation of social cues, which, in turn, may affect the function of relationships. This study investigated the relationship that exists between self-compassion and interpersonal relationship quality in a sample of university students and tested cognitive distortions as a possible mediator. Using a cross section correlational technique, the sample was collected from selected public and private universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Although 250 students were approached, complete case analyses were run on n = 150 respondents (20-40 years of age). Participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), the Cognitive Distortions Scale (Briere, 2000), and an interpersonal relationship quality measure of communication effectiveness, trust, and emotional support. Pearson correlations, regression analyses, and bootstrap based mediation analyses with Process Model 4 (Hayes, 2022; 5000 resamples) were used. Self-compassion was found to be positively related to relationship quality (r= .56, p < .001) and negatively related to cognitive distortions (r -.32, p < .001). Cognitive distortions were found to be negatively related to relationship quality (r=- 37, p<.001). Self-pity was a predictor of relationship quality (beta (4) = .56, R squared (4) = .32). Mediation analysis suggested significant effect of self-compassion on relationship quality through cognitive distortions (b = 0.12, 95% CI [0.04, 0.24]) while the direct effect was also significant (b = 0.90, 95% CI [0.66, 1.14]), which showed partial mediation. These findings suggest that self-compassion may positively influence students' interpersonal relationships partly by decreasing distorted thinking patterns. Compassion, cognition within the context of university counseling and student development programs, may foster well-being in a specific context of relationships.

Keywords: Self compassion; Cognitive Distortions; Interpersonal Relationship Quality; Mediation; University Students; Pakistan.