TY - JOUR T1 - Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety TT - Manevi Bir Kalkan Olarak Öz Şefkat: Sosyal Görünüş Kaygısının Gölgesindeki Gençler AU - Karataş, Zeki AU - Karataş, Duygu PY - 2025 DA - October Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291 JF - Spiritual Psychology and Counseling PB - Halil EKŞİ WT - DergiPark SN - 2458-9675 SP - 349 EP - 366 VL - 10 IS - 3 LA - en AB - This study examined the predictive role of self-compassion on social appearance anxiety among university students, a concern heightened by social media pressures. Employing a correlational research design, the study included 402 university students recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form and the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale. Analyses revealed a moderate, negative, and significant relationship between self-compassion and social appearance anxiety (r = -.50, p < .001). A simple linear regression analysis indicated that self-compassion explained 25% of the variance in social appearance anxiety (R² = .25) and was a significant negative predictor (β = -.50). Furthermore, body dissatisfaction and self-criticism were identified as significant factors associated with higher levels of anxiety. The findings strongly support that self-compassion serves as a key psychological resource and a 'spiritual shield' against social appearance anxiety for young adults. These results underscore the importance of implementing self-compassion-based interventions to support the mental health of young adults. KW - Self-compassion KW - social appearance anxiety KW - body satisfaction KW - university students KW - protective factor N2 - Bu çalışma, üniversite öğrencilerinde öz şefkatin, sosyal medya baskılarıyla artan sosyal görünüş kaygısı üzerindeki yordayıcı rolünü incelemiştir. İlişkisel tarama modelindeki araştırmaya kolayda örnekleme yöntemiyle ulaşılan 402 üniversite öğrencisi katılmıştır. Veriler, Öz Şefkat Ölçeği-Kısa Formu ve Sosyal Görünüş Kaygısı Ölçeği ile toplanmıştır. Analizler, öz şefkat ile sosyal görünüş kaygısı arasında orta düzeyde, negatif ve anlamlı bir ilişki (r = -.50, p < .001) olduğunu göstermiştir. Basit doğrusal regresyon analizi, öz şefkatin sosyal görünüş kaygısındaki toplam varyansın %25’ini açıkladığını (R² = .25, β = -.50) ve kaygıyı anlamlı düzeyde yordadığını ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca, beden memnuniyetsizliği ve özeleştiri, kaygı düzeylerini artıran önemli faktörler olarak saptanmıştır. Bulgular, öz şefkatin gençler için sosyal görünüş kaygısına karşı önemli bir psikolojik kaynak ve ‘manevi bir kalkan’ olduğunu güçlü bir şekilde desteklemektedir. Sonuçlar, gençlerin ruh sağlığını korumaya yönelik öz şefkat temelli müdahalelerin önemini vurgulamaktadır. CR - Abdollahi, M., Soltani, A., Mzari Tavakoli, A., & Kamyabe, M. (2023). 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Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 7(3), 340–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12051 UR - https://doi.org/10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4714912 ER -