Öz Şefkat ve Problemli Alkol Kullanımı Arasındaki İlişkide Psikolojik Sıkıntının Aracılık Rolü
Year 2025,
Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 117 - 125, 20.05.2025
Cansu Ünsal
,
Mustafa Kemal Mavi
Abstract
Arka Plan: Alkol, dünya genelinde yaygın olarak tüketilen bir psikoaktif madde olup, halk sağlığı üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahiptir. Dünya Sağlık Örgütü, her yıl yaklaşık 2,6 milyon ölümün alkolle ilişkili nedenlerden kaynaklandığını tahmin etmekte ve bu durum alkol kullanım bozukluklarının ele alınmasının acil bir gereklilik olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Öz şefkat, kişinin zorluklar veya başarısızlıklar karşısında kendisine nazik, anlayışlı ve hoşgörülü yaklaşmasını tanımlayan bir kavramdır ve duygusal düzenleme ve başa çıkma stratejilerinin daha etkin olmasına katkı sağladığına dair bulgular mevcuttur. Öz şefkat ile problemli alkol kullanımı arasındaki ilişkiyi anlamak, etkili müdahale stratejilerinin geliştirilmesine dair önemli ipuçları sunabilir.
Yöntemler: Mevcut kesitsel çalışma, alkol kullanımı öyküsü olan 18 yaş ve üzeri 142 katılımcı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcıların alkol kullanım düzeyleri, Alkol Kullanım Bozuklukları Tanılama Testi (AUDIT), Öz Şefkat Ölçeği-Kısa Formu (SCS-SF) ve Hasta Sağlık Anketi-4 (PHQ-4) aracılığıyla değerlendirilmiştir.
Bulgular: Yapılan analizler, yüksek öz şefkat düzeyine sahip bireylerin psikolojik sıkıntı seviyelerinin anlamlı şekilde daha düşük olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Buna karşın daha fazla psikolojik sıkıntı yaşayan katılımcılar, problemli alkol kullanımını gösteren daha yüksek AUDIT puanlarına sahiptir. Aracılık analizi, psikolojik sıkıntının öz şefkat ile alkol kullanımı arasındaki ilişkide önemli bir aracılık rolü üstlendiğini göstermektedir.
Sonuç: Çalışma bulguları, öz şefkatin psikolojik sıkıntıya karşı koruyucu bir etkiye sahip olduğunu ve olumsuz alkol kullanım alışkanlıklarını önleyici bir rol oynadığını vurgulamaktadır. Bu bulgular, alkol kullanım bozukluğu yaşayan bireyler için öz şefkat temelli müdahale yöntemlerinin terapötik süreçlere entegrasyonunun potansiyel yararlarını ortaya koymaktadır. Gelecek araştırmalarda bu ilişkileri daha derinlemesine anlamak ve tedavi stratejilerinin etkinliğini artırmak amacıyla uzunlamasına çalışma tasarımları ve daha geniş bir sosyo-psikolojik faktör yelpazesi göz önünde bulundurmalıdır.
References
-
World Health Organization. Alcohol. 2024. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol
-
Saatçioğlu Ö, Evren C, Çakmak D. Alkol kullanım bozuklukları tanıma testinin geçerliği ve güvenirliği. Türkiye’de Psikiyatri. 2002;4(2–3):107–13.
-
Abbey A, Smith MJ, Scott RO. The relationship between reasons for drinking alcohol and alcohol consumption: An interactional approach. Addict Behav. 1993;18(6):659–70.
-
Smith MJ, Abbey A, Scott RO. Reasons for drinking alcohol: Their relationship to psychosocial variables and alcohol consumption. Int J Addict. 1993;28(9):881–908.
-
Demirden A, Sarıkoç G. Ruhsal Bozukluğu Nedeniyle Ayaktan İzlenen Hastaların Öz Şefkat Düzeyleri ve Stresle Başa Çıkma Tarzları Arasındaki İlişki. Sağlık Akademisyenleri Dergisi. 2023;10(1):60–72.
-
Lechner WV, Laurene KR, Patel S, Anderson M, Grega C, Kenne DR. Changes in alcohol use as a function of psychological distress and social support following COVID-19 related University closings. Addict Behav. 2020;110:106527.
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Cerocchi N, Mojica‐Perez Y, Livingston M, Arunogiri S, Pennay A, Callinan S. Examining the association between psychological distress and alcohol use in Australian adolescents over a period of declining consumption. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2024;43(3):633–42.
-
Neff KD, Rude SS, Kirkpatrick KL. An examination of self-compassion in relation to positive psychological functioning and personality traits. Journal of Research in Personality. 2007;41(4):908–916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2006.08.002
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Marsh IC, Chan SWY, MacBeth A. Self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents—a meta-analysis. Mindfulness (N Y). 2018;9(4):1011–27.
-
Garner AR, Gilbert SE, Shorey RC, Gordon KC, Moore TM, Stuart GL. A longitudinal investigation on the relation between self-compassion and alcohol use in a treatment sample: a brief report. Subst Abuse. 2020;14:1178221820909356.
-
Berg SJ, Zaso MJ, Biehler KM, Read JP. Self‐compassion and self‐forgiveness in alcohol risk, treatment and recovery: a systematic review. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2024;31(3):e2987.
-
Cha JE, Boggiss AL, Serlachius AS, Cavadino A, Kirby JN, Consedine NS. A Systematic Review on Mediation Studies of Self-Compassion and Physical Health Outcomes in Non-Clinical Adult Populations. Mindfulness. 2022;13:1876–1900.
-
Wisener, M, Khoury B. Associations between specific mindfulness facets, self-compassion, internally motivated drinking, and alcohol-related problems. Mindfulness. 2019;10:2073-81.
-
Wilson AC, Mackintosh K, Power K, Chan SWY. Effectiveness of self-compassion related therapies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness. 2019;10:979-95.
-
Leaviss J, Uttley L. Psychotherapeutic benefits of compassion-focused therapy: An early systematic review. Psychol Med. 2015;45(5):927-45.
-
Saunders JB, Aasland OG, Babor TF, De la Fuente JR, Grant M. Development of the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption‐II. Addiction. 1993;88(6):791–804.
-
Babor TF, Higgins-Biddle JC, Saunders JB, Monteiro MG. AUDIT: the alcohol use disorders identification test: guidelines for use in primary health care. 2nd ed. World Health Organization; 2001.
-
Raes F, Pommier E, Neff KD, Van Gucht D. Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the self‐compassion scale. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2011;18(3):250–5.
-
Barutçu Yıldırım K, Onaylı S, Taşkesen N. Psychometric properties of self-compassion scale-short form in a Turkish university student sample. Sakarya University Journal of Education Faculty. 2023;23(1):23–34.
-
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, Löwe B. An ultra-brief screening scale for anxiety and sepression: the PHQ–4. Psychosomatics. 2009;50(6):613–21.
-
Demirci İ, Ekşi H. Don’t bother your pretty little head otherwise you can’t enjoy life. In: ERPA 2018: International Congresses on Education. Educational Researches and Publications Associations; 2018; İstanbul, Turkey. p. 287–92.
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The jamovi project (2.5). 2024. Available at https://www.jamovi.org
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Hair JF, Black WC, Babin BJ, Anderson RE. Multivariate data analysis, 7th ed. New York, Pearson; 2010.
-
Gallucci, M. jAMM: jamovi Advanced Mediation Models. [jamovi module]. 2020. Available at https://jamovi-amm.github.io/
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Belay AS, Guangul MM, Asmare WN, Mesafint G. Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among nurses in public hospitals, Southwest, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2021;31(6):1247-56.
-
Brady KT, Sonne SC. The role of stress in alcohol use, alcoholism treatment, and relapse. Alcohol Res Health. 1999;23(4):263.
-
Brooks M, Kay-Lambkin F, Bowman J, Childs S. Self-compassion amongst clients with problematic alcohol use. Mindfulness (N Y). 2012;3(4):308–17.
-
Suh JJ, Ruffins S, Robins CE, Albanese MJ, Khantzian EJ. Self-medication hypothesis: Connecting affective experience and drug choice. Psychoanalytic Psychology. 2008;25(3):518–32.
-
Rodriguez LM, Litt DM, Stewart SH. Drinking to cope with the pandemic: The unique associations of COVID-19-related perceived threat and psychological distress to drinking behaviors in American men and women. Addict Behav. 2020; 110:106532.
-
Finlay-Jones A, Boyes M, Perry Y, Sirois F, Lee R, Rees C. Online self-compassion training to improve the wellbeing of youth with chronic medical conditions: protocol for a randomised control trial. BMC Public Health. 2020; 20:1–10.
-
Rendon KP. Understanding alcohol use in college students: A study of mindfulness, self -compassion, and psychological symptoms [dissertation]. The University of Texas, Austin; 2006.
-
Janicki KM. The role of self-compassion in alcohol use disorders: an exploratory study: a project based on an investigation at ServiceNet, Inc. Northampton, Massachusetts. [dissertation]. Smith College, Northampton; 2015.
-
Meng R, Luo X, Du S, Luo Y, Liu D, Chen J et al. The mediating role of perceived stress in associations between self-compassion and anxiety and depression: Further evidence from chinese medical workers. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2020; 13:2729-41.
-
Raes F. Rumination and worry as mediators of the relationship between self-compassion and depression and anxiety. Pers Individ Dif. 2010;48(6):757-61.
-
Adie T, Steindl SR, Kirby JN, Kane RT, Mazzucchelli TG. The relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms: avoidance and activation as mediators. Mindfulness. 2021; 12:1748-56.
-
Müller CP, Schumann G, Rehm J, Kornhuber J, Lenz B. Self-management with alcohol over lifespan: psychological mechanisms, neurobiological underpinnings, and risk assessment. Mol Psychiatry. 2023;28(7):2683–96.
-
Sudhinaraset M, Wigglesworth C, Takeuchi DT. Social and cultural contexts of alcohol use: influences in a social-ecological framework. Alcohol Res. 2016;38(1):35-45.
-
Bracke P, Delaruelle K and Verhaeghe M. Dominant cultural and personal stigma beliefs and the utilization of mental health services: a cross-national comparison. Front Sociol. 2019; 4:40.
-
Fritz MS, MacKinnon DP. Required sample size to detect the mediated effect. Psychol Sci. 2007;18(3):233-9.
The Mediating Role of Psychological Distress in the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Problematic Alcohol Use
Year 2025,
Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 117 - 125, 20.05.2025
Cansu Ünsal
,
Mustafa Kemal Mavi
Abstract
Background: Alcohol is a widely consumed psychoactive substance, with significant global prevalence and a major impact on public health. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 2.6 million deaths occur annually due to alcohol-related causes, highlighting the urgent need to address alcohol use disorders. Self-compassion, defined as being kind and understanding toward oneself in times of suffering or failure, has been linked to better emotional regulation and coping strategies. Understanding the relationship between self-compassion and problematic alcohol use may offer insights into effective intervention strategies.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 142 participants aged 18 and older with a history of alcohol use, assessed through the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4).
Results: The analysis revealed that individuals with higher self-compassion reported significantly lower levels of psychological distress. Conversely, those experiencing greater psychological distress exhibited higher levels of problematic alcohol use, indicated by elevated AUDIT scores. Mediation analysis demonstrated that psychological distress serves as a significant mediator in the relationship between self-compassion and alcohol use.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the protective role of self-compassion against psychological distress and maladaptive drinking patterns. This study highlights the potential benefits of integrating self-compassion-based interventions into therapeutic interventions for individuals with alcohol use disorders. Future research should consider longitudinal designs and a broader range of socio-psychological factors to deepen our understanding of these relationships and enhance the effectiveness of treatment strategies.
Ethical Statement
Permission was obtained from the Toros University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee (Approval no: 25.06.2024/119), and Helsinki Declaration rules were followed to conduct this study. All participants provided informed consent.
Supporting Institution
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
References
-
World Health Organization. Alcohol. 2024. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol
-
Saatçioğlu Ö, Evren C, Çakmak D. Alkol kullanım bozuklukları tanıma testinin geçerliği ve güvenirliği. Türkiye’de Psikiyatri. 2002;4(2–3):107–13.
-
Abbey A, Smith MJ, Scott RO. The relationship between reasons for drinking alcohol and alcohol consumption: An interactional approach. Addict Behav. 1993;18(6):659–70.
-
Smith MJ, Abbey A, Scott RO. Reasons for drinking alcohol: Their relationship to psychosocial variables and alcohol consumption. Int J Addict. 1993;28(9):881–908.
-
Demirden A, Sarıkoç G. Ruhsal Bozukluğu Nedeniyle Ayaktan İzlenen Hastaların Öz Şefkat Düzeyleri ve Stresle Başa Çıkma Tarzları Arasındaki İlişki. Sağlık Akademisyenleri Dergisi. 2023;10(1):60–72.
-
Lechner WV, Laurene KR, Patel S, Anderson M, Grega C, Kenne DR. Changes in alcohol use as a function of psychological distress and social support following COVID-19 related University closings. Addict Behav. 2020;110:106527.
-
Cerocchi N, Mojica‐Perez Y, Livingston M, Arunogiri S, Pennay A, Callinan S. Examining the association between psychological distress and alcohol use in Australian adolescents over a period of declining consumption. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2024;43(3):633–42.
-
Neff KD, Rude SS, Kirkpatrick KL. An examination of self-compassion in relation to positive psychological functioning and personality traits. Journal of Research in Personality. 2007;41(4):908–916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2006.08.002
-
Marsh IC, Chan SWY, MacBeth A. Self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents—a meta-analysis. Mindfulness (N Y). 2018;9(4):1011–27.
-
Garner AR, Gilbert SE, Shorey RC, Gordon KC, Moore TM, Stuart GL. A longitudinal investigation on the relation between self-compassion and alcohol use in a treatment sample: a brief report. Subst Abuse. 2020;14:1178221820909356.
-
Berg SJ, Zaso MJ, Biehler KM, Read JP. Self‐compassion and self‐forgiveness in alcohol risk, treatment and recovery: a systematic review. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2024;31(3):e2987.
-
Cha JE, Boggiss AL, Serlachius AS, Cavadino A, Kirby JN, Consedine NS. A Systematic Review on Mediation Studies of Self-Compassion and Physical Health Outcomes in Non-Clinical Adult Populations. Mindfulness. 2022;13:1876–1900.
-
Wisener, M, Khoury B. Associations between specific mindfulness facets, self-compassion, internally motivated drinking, and alcohol-related problems. Mindfulness. 2019;10:2073-81.
-
Wilson AC, Mackintosh K, Power K, Chan SWY. Effectiveness of self-compassion related therapies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness. 2019;10:979-95.
-
Leaviss J, Uttley L. Psychotherapeutic benefits of compassion-focused therapy: An early systematic review. Psychol Med. 2015;45(5):927-45.
-
Saunders JB, Aasland OG, Babor TF, De la Fuente JR, Grant M. Development of the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption‐II. Addiction. 1993;88(6):791–804.
-
Babor TF, Higgins-Biddle JC, Saunders JB, Monteiro MG. AUDIT: the alcohol use disorders identification test: guidelines for use in primary health care. 2nd ed. World Health Organization; 2001.
-
Raes F, Pommier E, Neff KD, Van Gucht D. Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the self‐compassion scale. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2011;18(3):250–5.
-
Barutçu Yıldırım K, Onaylı S, Taşkesen N. Psychometric properties of self-compassion scale-short form in a Turkish university student sample. Sakarya University Journal of Education Faculty. 2023;23(1):23–34.
-
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW, Löwe B. An ultra-brief screening scale for anxiety and sepression: the PHQ–4. Psychosomatics. 2009;50(6):613–21.
-
Demirci İ, Ekşi H. Don’t bother your pretty little head otherwise you can’t enjoy life. In: ERPA 2018: International Congresses on Education. Educational Researches and Publications Associations; 2018; İstanbul, Turkey. p. 287–92.
-
The jamovi project (2.5). 2024. Available at https://www.jamovi.org
-
Hair JF, Black WC, Babin BJ, Anderson RE. Multivariate data analysis, 7th ed. New York, Pearson; 2010.
-
Gallucci, M. jAMM: jamovi Advanced Mediation Models. [jamovi module]. 2020. Available at https://jamovi-amm.github.io/
-
Belay AS, Guangul MM, Asmare WN, Mesafint G. Prevalence and associated factors of psychological distress among nurses in public hospitals, Southwest, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2021;31(6):1247-56.
-
Brady KT, Sonne SC. The role of stress in alcohol use, alcoholism treatment, and relapse. Alcohol Res Health. 1999;23(4):263.
-
Brooks M, Kay-Lambkin F, Bowman J, Childs S. Self-compassion amongst clients with problematic alcohol use. Mindfulness (N Y). 2012;3(4):308–17.
-
Suh JJ, Ruffins S, Robins CE, Albanese MJ, Khantzian EJ. Self-medication hypothesis: Connecting affective experience and drug choice. Psychoanalytic Psychology. 2008;25(3):518–32.
-
Rodriguez LM, Litt DM, Stewart SH. Drinking to cope with the pandemic: The unique associations of COVID-19-related perceived threat and psychological distress to drinking behaviors in American men and women. Addict Behav. 2020; 110:106532.
-
Finlay-Jones A, Boyes M, Perry Y, Sirois F, Lee R, Rees C. Online self-compassion training to improve the wellbeing of youth with chronic medical conditions: protocol for a randomised control trial. BMC Public Health. 2020; 20:1–10.
-
Rendon KP. Understanding alcohol use in college students: A study of mindfulness, self -compassion, and psychological symptoms [dissertation]. The University of Texas, Austin; 2006.
-
Janicki KM. The role of self-compassion in alcohol use disorders: an exploratory study: a project based on an investigation at ServiceNet, Inc. Northampton, Massachusetts. [dissertation]. Smith College, Northampton; 2015.
-
Meng R, Luo X, Du S, Luo Y, Liu D, Chen J et al. The mediating role of perceived stress in associations between self-compassion and anxiety and depression: Further evidence from chinese medical workers. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2020; 13:2729-41.
-
Raes F. Rumination and worry as mediators of the relationship between self-compassion and depression and anxiety. Pers Individ Dif. 2010;48(6):757-61.
-
Adie T, Steindl SR, Kirby JN, Kane RT, Mazzucchelli TG. The relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms: avoidance and activation as mediators. Mindfulness. 2021; 12:1748-56.
-
Müller CP, Schumann G, Rehm J, Kornhuber J, Lenz B. Self-management with alcohol over lifespan: psychological mechanisms, neurobiological underpinnings, and risk assessment. Mol Psychiatry. 2023;28(7):2683–96.
-
Sudhinaraset M, Wigglesworth C, Takeuchi DT. Social and cultural contexts of alcohol use: influences in a social-ecological framework. Alcohol Res. 2016;38(1):35-45.
-
Bracke P, Delaruelle K and Verhaeghe M. Dominant cultural and personal stigma beliefs and the utilization of mental health services: a cross-national comparison. Front Sociol. 2019; 4:40.
-
Fritz MS, MacKinnon DP. Required sample size to detect the mediated effect. Psychol Sci. 2007;18(3):233-9.