TR
EN
Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety
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.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
This study was supported by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK-1919B012313877).
Project Number
TUBITAK-1919B012313877
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.
Thanks
We would like to thank TUBITAK for their support.
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Psychology of Religion, Social and Personality Psychology (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
October 1, 2025
Submission Date
March 22, 2025
Acceptance Date
September 9, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 3
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
AMA
1.Karataş Z, Karataş D. Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling. 2025;10(3):349-366. doi:10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291
Chicago
Karataş, Zeki, and Duygu Karataş. 2025. “Self-Compassion As a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety”. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling 10 (3): 349-66. https://doi.org/10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291.
EndNote
Karataş Z, Karataş D (October 1, 2025) Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling 10 3 349–366.
IEEE
[1]Z. Karataş and D. Karataş, “Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety”, Spiritual Psychology and Counseling, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 349–366, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291.
ISNAD
Karataş, Zeki - Karataş, Duygu. “Self-Compassion As a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety”. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling 10/3 (October 1, 2025): 349-366. https://doi.org/10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291.
JAMA
1.Karataş Z, Karataş D. Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling. 2025;10:349–366.
MLA
Karataş, Zeki, and Duygu Karataş. “Self-Compassion As a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety”. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling, vol. 10, no. 3, Oct. 2025, pp. 349-66, doi:10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291.
Vancouver
1.Zeki Karataş, Duygu Karataş. Self-Compassion as a Spiritual Shield: Young Adults in the Shadow of Social Appearance Anxiety. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling. 2025 Oct. 1;10(3):349-66. doi:10.37898/spiritualpc.1663291