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Manevi Bir Kalkan Olarak Öz Şefkat: Sosyal Görünüş Kaygısının Gölgesindeki Gençler

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 3, 349 - 366, 01.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291

Abstract

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.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Etik Kurulu'nun 29.05.2024 tarihli ve 2024/227 numaralı onayıyla yürütülmüştür ve 1975 Helsinki Bildirgesi'nin etik ilkelerine uygun olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir.

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma, Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu (TÜBİTAK-1919B012313877) tarafından desteklenmiştir.

Project Number

TUBITAK-1919B012313877

Thanks

Katkılarından dolayı TÜBİTAK'a teşekkür ederiz.

References

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Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 3, 349 - 366, 01.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291

Abstract

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.

Ethical Statement

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee Date: (29.05.2024) approved the research [Approval Number: 2024/227]. This study conforms to the ethical guidelines of the1975 Declaration of Helsinki.

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK-1919B012313877).

Project Number

TUBITAK-1919B012313877

Thanks

We would like to thank TUBITAK for their support.

References

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  • Akin, A., & Akin, U. (2017). Does self-compassion predict spiritual experiences of Turkish university students? Journal of Religion and Health, 56(1), 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0138-y
  • Allen, L. M., Roberts, C., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Farrell, L. J. (2020). Exploring the relationship between self-compassion and body dysmorphic symptoms in adolescents. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 25, 100535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2020.100535
  • Baltaci, U. B., Yilmaz, M., & Tras, Z. (2021). The relationships between internet addiction, social appearance anxiety and coping with stress. International Education Studies, 14(5), 135–144.
  • Banga, V. (2024). A study on body dysmorphia, appearance anxiety and self-compassion among young adults. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Approaches in Psychology, 2(12), 80:95-80:95.
  • Betz, D. E., Sabik, N. J., & Ramsey, L. R. (2019). Ideal comparisons: Body ideals harm women’s body image through social comparison. Body Image, 29, 100–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.03.004
  • Bluth, K., Lathren, C., & Park, J. (2022). Self-compassion as a protective factor for adolescents experiencing adversity. In M. Munroe & M. Ferrari (Eds.), Post-traumatic growth to psychological well-being: Coping wisely with adversity (pp. 111–126). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15290-0_12
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  • Bülbül, A. E., & Özbay, A. (2025). Spiritual well-being and fate in the patience self-compassion link among university students: A Turkish perspective. Journal of Religion and Health, 64(3), 1656–1675. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02193-3
  • Caner, N., Efe, Y. S., & Başdaş, Ö. (2022). The contribution of social media addiction to adolescent LIFE: Social appearance anxiety. Current Psychology, 41(12), 8424–8433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03280-y
  • Castilho, P., Carvalho, S. A., Marques, S., & Pinto-Gouveia, J. (2017). Self-compassion and emotional intelligence in adolescence: A multigroup mediational study of the impact of shame memories on depressive symptoms. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(3), 759–768. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0613-4
  • Cetin, S., & Ece, C. (2021). Investigation of social appearance anxiety in university students. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 15(5), 1694–1698. https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs211551694
  • Dan, V. H., Ponnuchamy, L., Anand, N. K., Bhaskarapillai, B., & Sharma, M. K. (2023). Resilience and self-compassion among persons with depressive disorders: Prerequisite for a positive mental health approach. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 12(8), 1621–1628. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2270_22
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  • Ferreira, C., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Duarte, C. (2013). Self-compassion in the face of shame and body image dissatisfaction: Implications for eating disorders. Eating Behaviors, 14(2), 207–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.01.005
  • Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7, 117–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202
  • Fong, M., & Loi, N. M. (2016). The mediating role of self‐compassion in student psychological health. Australian Psychologist, 51(6), 431–441. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12185
  • Fredrickson, B. L., Hendler, L. M., Nilsen, S., O’Barr, J. F., & Roberts, T.-A. (2011). Bringing back the body: A retrospective on the development of objectification theory. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 35(4), 689–696. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684311426690
  • Gao, J., Feng, Y., Xu, S., Wilson, A., Li, H., Wang, X., Sun, X., & Wang, Y. (2023). Appearance anxiety and social anxiety: A mediated model of self-compassion. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1105428
  • Gilbert, P. (2014). The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53(1), 6–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12043
  • Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: Overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 13(6), 353–379. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.507
  • Gunnell, K. E., Mosewich, A. D., McEwen, C. E., Eklund, R. C., & Crocker, P. R. E. (2017). Don’t be so hard on yourself! Changes in self-compassion during the first year of university are associated with changes in well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 107, 43–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.11.032
  • Han, A., & Kim, T. H. (2023). Effects of self-compassion interventions on reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress: A meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 14(7), 1553–1581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02148-x
  • Hart, T. A., Flora, D. B., Palyo, S. A., Fresco, D. M., Holle, C., & Heimberg, R. G. (2008). Development and examination of the social appearance anxiety scale. Assessment, 15(1), 48–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191107306673
  • Huck, S. W. (2012). Reading statistics and research. Pearson.
  • Jiang, Y., You, J., Hou, Y., Du, C., Lin, M.-P., Zheng, X., & Ma, C. (2016). Buffering the effects of peer victimization on adolescent non-suicidal self-injury: The role of self-compassion and family cohesion. Journal of Adolescence, 53, 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.09.005
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There are 60 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Psychology of Religion, Social and Personality Psychology (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Zeki Karataş 0000-0002-5822-2904

Duygu Karataş 0009-0002-4262-1545

Project Number TUBITAK-1919B012313877
Submission Date March 22, 2025
Acceptance Date September 9, 2025
Publication Date October 1, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 10 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Karataş, Z., & Karataş, D. (2025). Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling, 10(3), 349-366. https://doi.org/10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291