To increase understanding of the health benefits of self-compassion in the context of chronic illness and other long-term health conditions

Current theory indicates that the self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness components of self-compassion can foster adaptive responses to the perceived setbacks and shortcomings that people experience in the context of living with a chronic illness. A growing evidence base also indicates that self-compassion is associated with more frequent practice of health-promoting behaviours in healthy populations. Yet research on self-compassion in relation to health has been examined primarily within non-medical populations.
This PhD project will aim to increase understanding of the health benefits of self-compassion in the context of chronic illness and other long-term health conditions by examining the processes linking dispositional and induced self-compassion to coping, the practice of health-promoting behaviours, and responses to physical symptoms.