The Relationship between Mattering to Others and Self-Compassion among University Students

Background/purpose. The study examined the relationship between mattering to others and self-compassion among a sample of students of basic education in Kuwait.

Materials/ Methods. For data collection, a Mattering to Others Scale and a Self-Compassion Scale were employed. They were applied to a sample of 1200 male and female students selected using simple random sampling procedures from the population of the study.

Results. The study found that mattering to others was at a moderate level. While self-compassion was high. The study also found that there are no statistically significant differences in mattering to others and self-compassion levels due to gender, while there are significant differences due to academic year in favor of fourth-year students. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between mattering to others and self-compassion. Based on the results, the researcher asserted the need to focus more on mattering to others as an indicator of self-concept and self-esteem among students.

Conclusion. Considering the results of the current study, the researchers recommended to give a mattering to others attention in educational contexts.

Keywords: Mattering to others, self-compassion, university students

References

Abu Msameh, N. (2020). The predictive ability of fear of compassion, mattering, and self-compassion to smiling depression among employees with high-order professions. Unpublished PhD thesis, Yarmouk University, Jordan.

Aranda,A., Campayo,J., Gude, F., Luciano, J., Soler, A., Quintela,A., del- Hoyo,Y., & Marin, J. (2021). Impact of mindfulness and self-compassion on anxiety and depression: The mediating role of resilience. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 21(2), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2021.100229

Awamleh, A. (2019). The relationship between self-compassion and academic achievement for sport science students. Ann Appl Sport Sci 8(2), 1-7. http://aassjournal.com/article-1-823-en.html

Aydoğdu, B., & Dirik, G. (2022). Self-compassion- focused writing practices: a systematic review. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar-Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 14(4):526-544. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1077952

Barnard, L., & Curry, J. (2011). Self-compassion: Conceptualizations, correlates & interventions. Review of General Psychology, 15(4), 289-303. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025754

Berking, M., & Whitley, B. (2014). Affect regulation training. New York, NY: Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4939-1022-9

Davis, S., Lepore, S., & Dumenci, L. (2019). Psychometric properties and correlates of a brief scale measuring the psychological construct mattering to others in a sample of women recovering from breast cancer. Qual Life Res.; 28(6): 1605–1614. doi:10.1007/s11136-019-02118-8.

Rosenberg, F. R., Rohall, D. E., Segal, D. R., & Hamilton, V. L. (1999). Downsizing the Russian Army: Effects on mattering and mental health. In annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Chicago, IL.

Elliott, C., Kao, S., & Grant, M. (2004). Mattering: empirical validation of a social-psychological concept. Self and Identity, 3(4), 339–354. https://doi.org/10.1080/13576500444000119

Gharaibeh, M. (2021). The Predictability of Mindfulness, Self-Compassion and Importance to Others Upon Emotional Labor Among Mental Health Professionals. PhD Dissertation, Yarmouk University, Jordan.

Harshitha S, & R Sasi (2019). Self-Compassion, Self-Criticism and Hope among Emerging Adults. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 7(2), 30-37. DOI: https://doi.org/%2010.25215/0702.005

Ingledew, D. K., Hardy, L., & Cooper, C. L. (2008). Self-compassion and responses to negative events. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(4), 338-343.

Kelly, A. C., Zuroff, D. C., & Shapira, L. B. (2012). Self-compassion and reactions to serious illness: The case of HIV. Journal of Health Psychology, 17(5), 678- 689. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105312467391

Leary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Adams, C. E., Allen, A. B., & Hancock, J. (2007). Self- compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: The implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(5), 887-904. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.5.887

Moningka, C. (2017). Pemaknaan self compassion pada tenaga kesehatan di Jakarta Utara melalui pendekatan psikologi ulayat. Psibernetika, 6(2), 29–43. https://journal.ubm.ac.id/index.php/psibernetika/article/view/520

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

Neff, D. (2016). Does self-compassion entail reduced self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification? A response to Muris, Otgaar, and Petrocchi (2016). Mindfulness, 7(3), 791–797. DOI 10.1007/s12671-016-0531-y

Neff, K. D., Tóth-Király, I., Knox, M. C., Kuchar, A., & Davidson, O. (2021). The Development and Validation of the State Self-Compassion Scale (Long-and Short Form). Mindfulness, 12(1), 121-140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01505-4

Raes, F. (2011). The effect of self-compassion on the development of depression: A twelve-month longitudinal study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(3), 265-277. DOI 10.1007/s12671-011-0040-y

Rayle, A. (2006). Mattering to others: Implications for the counseling relationship. Journal of Counseling & Development, 84(4), 483-487. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2006.tb00432.x

Rosenberg, M., & McCullough, B. (1981). Mattering: Inferred Significance and Mental Health among Adolescents. Research in Community and Mental Health, 2, 82- 136. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1983-07744-001

Rosenberg, M., & McCullough, C. (1981). Mattering: inferred significance and mental health among adolescents. Research in Community and Mental Health, 2, 163– 182. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1983-07744-001

Rosenberg,M., Florence R., David E., Rohall, Segal,D., & Hamilton, V. (1999). Rosenberg, M., & McCullough, B. (1979). Mattering: inferred significance and mental health among adolescents. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, Boston.

Schieman, S., & Taylor, J. (2001). Statuses, roles, and the sense of mattering. Sociological Perspectives, 44(4), 469–484. https://doi.org/10.1525/sop.2001.44.4.469

Shonin, E., Van Gordon, W., Garcia-Campayo, J., and Griffiths, M. D. (2017). Can compassion cure health-related disorders? Br. J. General Pract. 67, 178–179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp17X690329

Smith, J. A., & Jones, L. M. (2021). Self-compassion and its relationship to mental health and academic performance among university students. Journal of College Counseling, 24(3), 210-225. DOI: 10.6007/IJARPED/v5-i2/2131

Svendsen, L., Osnes, B., Binder, E., Dundas, I., Visted, E., Nordby, H., & Sørensen, L. (2016). Trait self-compassion reflects emotional flexibility through an association with high vagally mediated heart rate variability. Mindfulness, 7(5), 1103- 1113. DOI 10.1007/s12671-016-0549-1

Taylor, J. (2001). A longitudinal study of the role and significance of mattering to others fordepressive symptoms. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 42(3):310- 325.https://www.jstor.org/stable/3090217

Thøgersen‐Ntoumani, C., Dodos, L., Chatzisarantis, N., & Ntoumanis, N. (2017). A Diary Study of Self‐Compassion, Upward Social Comparisons, and Body Image‐ Related Outcomes. Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being, 9(2), 242-258. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12089

Van, Z., & Vohs, K. D. (2023). Mattering to others and its impact on mental health and academic engagement among university students. Journal of College Student Development, 64(2), 154-168.

Weliangan, H., Ardradhika,A., & Huda,N. (2024). The influence of psychological empowerment and self-compassion on resilience in women with dual roles. Bulletin of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 6(2), 1-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51214/00202406955000

Yang, Y., Guo, Z., Kou, Y., & Liu, B. (2019). Linking self-compassion and prosocial behavior in adolescents: The mediating roles of relatedness and trust. Child Indicators Research, 12(6), 2035–2049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-019-9623-2

Announcement

EDUPIJ Citation Metrics

EDUPIJ News!

► Educational Process International Journal has changed to publish in article number order instead of in page range order beginning with Volume 14 (2025).