Self-Compassion Predicts Student Athletes’ Negative and Positive Affect After Remembering Exercise-Related Setbacks

Authors

  • Tünde PÓKA Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School; Department of Applied Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Email: tunde.poka@ubbcluj.ro. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1919-2375
  • Anna VERES Department of Applied Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Email: anna.veres@ubbcluj.ro. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8306-6026
  • Andrea BARTA Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School; Department of Applied Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Email: andrea.barta@ubbcluj.ro. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8754-6097

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24193/subbeag.68(3).21

Keywords:

self-compassion, athletes, affect, exercise.

Abstract

Introduction. Previous findings show that self-compassion is an important resource for athletes, being associated with less fear of failure and better adaptation to obstacles. Objective. The study examines the role of self-compassion in predicting student athletes’ negative and positive affect after recalling a negative, shameful experience of physical training. It examines the extent to which self-compassion can predict the different types of positive (soothing and activating) and negative affect in this context. Method. In a correlational design, self-compassion levels were measured in N = 62 student-athletes using the Self-Compassion Scale- Short Form. After remembering a training-related setback, levels of soothing and activating positive affect were measured using the Types of Positive Affect Scale, and levels of negative affect were assessed with the Emotional Distress Profile. Results. Results indicated that self-compassion is a significant positive predictor of both types of positive affect and a negative predictor of negative affect after recalling a negative shameful experience related to physical training. Conclusion. Confirming previous findings, self-compassion was a relevant construct in the sport context, predicting students’ affect. These results suggest that interventions to improve self-compassion may be adaptive for athletes, and may improve their affect, probably leading to more optimal sport motivation, however, interventional studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of self-compassion interventions in optimizing athletes’ affect and motivation.

 Auto-compasiunea prezice afectele negative și pozitive ale studenților sportivi în urma reamintirii eșecurilor legate de exerciții fizice. Introducere. Rezultatele anterioare arată că auto-compasiunea este o resursă importantă pentru sportivi, fiind asociată cu o frică mai mică de eșec și o mai bună adaptare la obstacole. Obiectiv. Studiul examinează rolul auto-compasiunii în prezicerea afectelor negative și pozitive ale studenților sportivi după reamintirea unei experiențe negative și stânjenitoare de la antrenamentul fizic. Studiul examinează măsura în care auto-compasiunea poate prezice diferitele tipuri de afecte pozitive (liniștitoare și activatoare) și negative în acest context. Metode. Într-un design corelațional, nivelurile de auto-compasiune au fost măsurate la N = 62 de studenți-atleți folosind Scala de Auto-Compasiune - Forma Scurtă. După ce și-au amintit de un eșec legat de antrenamente fizice, nivelurile de afecte pozitive liniștitoare și activatoare au fost măsurate cu ajutorul Scalei Tipurilor de Afecte Pozitive, iar nivelurile de afecte negative au fost evaluate cu ajutorul Profilului Distresului Emoțional. Rezultate. Rezultatele au indicat că auto-compasiunea este un predictor pozitiv semnificativ al ambelor tipuri de afecte pozitive și un predictor negativ al afectelor negative după rememorarea unei experiențe rușinoase legate de antrenamentul fizic. Concluzii. Confirmând constatările anterioare, auto-compătimirea a fost un construct relevant în contextul sportiv, prezicând afectele studenților. Aceste rezultate sugerează că intervențiile de îmbunătățire a auto-compasiunii pot fi eficiente pentru sportivi și pot îmbunătăți afectele acestora, ducând probabil la o motivație sportivă mai optimă, însă sunt necesare studii intervenționale pentru a investiga eficiența intervențiilor de auto-compasiune în optimizarea afectului și motivației sportivilor.

 Cuvinte-cheie: auto-compasiune, sportivi, afect, exercițiu fizic

Received 2023 July 12; Revised 2023 August 28; Accepted 2023 September 1thAvailable online 2023 September 30; Available print 2023 November 30.

References

Chio, F. H. N., Mak, W. W. S., & Yu, B. C. L. (2021). Meta-analytic review on the differential effects of self-compassion components on well-being and psychological distress: The moderating role of dialecticism on self-compassion. Clinical Psychology Review, 85, Article 101986. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.101986

Cormier, D., Kowalski, K. C., Ferguson, L. J., Mosewich, A. D., McHugh, T.-L. F., & Rötlin, P. (2023). Self-compassion in sport: a scoping review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2022.2161064

Crocker, P.R.E., Kowalski, K.C., Hoar, S.D. & McDonough, M.H. (2004). Emotion in Sport across Adulthood. In M.R., Weiss (Ed.) Developmental Sport and Exercise Psychology: A Lifespan Perspective, 12, pp. 337-359, Fitness Information Technology, USA.

Depue, R. A., & Morrone-Strupinsky, J. V. (2005). A neurobehavioral model of affiliative bonding. Behavioral and Brain Science, 28(3), 313-395. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x05000063

Ekkekakis, P. (2003). Pleasure and displeasure from the body: Perspectives from exercise. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 213-239. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302292

Ferrari, M., Hunt, C., Harrysunker, A., Abbott, M. J., Beath, A. P., & Einstein, D. A. (2019). Self-compassion interventions and psychosocial outcomes: A meta-analysis of RCTs. Mindfulness, 10(8), 1455–1473. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01134-6

George, D., & Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS for Windows step by step: A simple guide and reference. 11.0 update (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Germer, C.K. (2009). The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion. Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions. The Guilford Press

Gilbert, P. (2009a). Introducing compassion-focused therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 15(3), 199-208. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.107.005264

Gilbert, P. (2009b). The nature and basis for compassion focused therapy. Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 6(3), 273-291.

Gilbert, P. (2014). The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53(1), 6-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12043

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Mitra, R., Franks, L., Richter, A., & Rockliff, H. (2008). Feeling safe and content: A specific affect regulation system? Relationship to depression, anxiety, stress, and self-criticism. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3(3), 182-191. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760801999461

Guérin, E. & Fotier, M.S. (2012). Situational motivation and perceived intensity: Their interaction in predicting changes in positive affect from physical activity. Journal of Obesity. 12, 269320 http://doi.org/10.1155/2012/269320

Hall, E., Chmelo, E., DeWitt, R., Kostura, C., Morrison, J. & Miller, P. (2005). Do you feel the pump? Examination of affective responses to different modes of resistance training in college females. In T. Morris (Ed.), Proceedings of the 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology. Sydney, Australia: International Society of Sport Psychology.

Kiviniemi, M.T, Voss-Humke, A.M. & Seifert, A.L. (2007). How do I feel about the behavior? The interplay of affective associations with behaviors and cognitive beliefs as influences on physical activity behavior. Health Psychology, 26(2), 152-158. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.26.2.152

MacBeth, A., & Gumley, A. (2012). Exploring compassion: a meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 32(6). 545-552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2012.06.003

Magnus, C. M. R., Kowalski, K. C., & McHugh, T.-L. F. (2010). The role of self-compassion in women’s self-determined motives to exercise and exercise-related outcomes. Self and Identity, 9(4), 363–382. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1080/15298860903135073

Marsh, I. C., Chan, S. W. Y., & MacBeth, A. (2018). Self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents – a meta-analysis. Mindfulness (N Y), 9(4), 1011-1027. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0850-7

Mosewich, A. D. (2020). Self-compassion in sport and exercise. In G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.). Handbook of sport psychology (4th ed., pp. 158-176). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119568124.ch8

Mosewich, A. D., Crocker, P. R. E., Kowalski, K. C., & DeLongis, A. (2013). Applying self-compassion in sport: An intervention with women athletes. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 35(5), 514-524. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.35.5.514

Mosewich, A. D., Kowalski, K. C., Sabiston, C. M., Sedgwick, W. A., & Tracy, J. L. (2011). Self-compassion: a potential resource for young women athletes. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33(1), 103-123. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.33.1.103

Muris, P., & Petrocchi, N. (2016). Protection or vulnerability? A meta-analysis of the relations between the positive and negative components of self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 24(2), 373-383. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2005

Mutrie, N.& Faulkner, G. (2012). Physical activity: Positive psychology in motion. In P. A. Linley, & S. Joseph (Eds.), Positive Psychology in Practice (pp. 146-164). Hoboken. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470939338.ch9

Neff, K. (2003a). Self-compassion: an alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032

Neff, K. (2003b). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027

Opriş, D., & Macavei, B. (2005). The distinction between functional and dysfunctional negative emotions: An empirical analysis. Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies, 5(2), 181–195.

Phillips, W., & Hine, D.W. (2021). Self-compassion, physical health, and health behaviour: a meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review, 15(1), 113-139. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2019.1705872

Póka, T., Barta, A., & Mérő, L. (2022). Predictive power of self-compassion in anticipating positive and negative workout-related emotions during COVID-19. European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 6(14), 1-10.

Póka, T., Fodor, L-A., Barta, A., & Mérő, L. (2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of self-compassion interventions for changing university students’ positive and negative affect. Current Psychology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04834-4

Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff, K. D., & Van Gucht, D. (2011). Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self-Compassion Scale. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 18(3), 250–255. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.702

Russell, J. A. (2003). Core affect and the psychological construction of emotion. Psychological Review, 110(1), 145–172. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.110.1.145

Semenchuk, B. N., Strachan, S. M., & Fortier, M. (2018). Self-compassion and the self-regulation of exercise: Reactions to recalled exercise setbacks. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 40(1), 31-39. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2017-0242

Sirois, F. M., Kitner, R., & Hirsch, J. K. (2015). Self-compassion, affect, and health-promoting behaviors. Health Psychology, 34(6), 661-669. https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/hea0000158

Terry, M.L., & Leary, M.R. (2011). Self-Compassion, self-regulation, and health. Self and Identity, 10(3), 352-362. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1080/15298868.2011.558404

Watson, D. & Clark, L.A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64(6), 1063-1070.

Wong, M. Y. C., Chung, P.-K., & Leung, K.-M. (2021). The relationship between physical activity and self-compassion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 12, 547-563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01513-4

Zessin, U., Dickhauser, O., & Garbade, S. (2015). The relationship between self-compassion and well-being: A meta-analysis. Applier Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 7(3), 340-364. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12051.

Downloads

Published

2023-09-30

How to Cite

PÓKA, T. ., VERES, A. ., & BARTA, A. . (2023). Self-Compassion Predicts Student Athletes’ Negative and Positive Affect After Remembering Exercise-Related Setbacks. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Educatio Artis Gymnasticae, 68(3), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbeag.68(3).21

Issue

Section

Articles