Examining the Causal Relationships Between Perfectionism and Self-Compassion: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Physically Inactive Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MS in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Rudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rudehen, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Rudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rudehen, Iran.

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the causal relationships between perfectionism and self-compassion, with cognitive emotion regulation strategies as a mediating variable, among university students with low physical activity levels.
Methods: Employing a descriptive-correlational design with an applied purpose, the study population consisted of all students at Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch during the 2019-2020 academic year. A convenience sample of 200 students was selected. Participants completed three validated instruments: the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Garnefski et al., 2001), and the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (Terry-Short et al., 1995). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Results: The analysis revealed significant mediating effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies. The relationship between negative perfectionism and self-compassion through positive emotion regulation strategies was significantly negative (β = -0.058, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the relationship between negative perfectionism and self-compassion through negative emotion regulation strategies was also significantly negative (β = -0.253, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that among physically inactive students, perfectionism exerts a negative influence on self-compassion, and this relationship is mediated by cognitive emotion regulation strategies. These results suggest that interventions aimed at increasing physical activity levels and improving emotion regulation skills may help mitigate the adverse effects of perfectionism on self-compassion.
 

Keywords

References

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Sports Psychology
Volume 13, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
October 2021
Pages 226-238

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 May 2020
  • Revise Date: 01 September 2020
  • Accept Date: 16 December 2020

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