Everyday self-compassion entails the cultivation of kindness, understanding, and care towards oneself in the routine moments of life. This study sought to explore the self-compassion practices of Taiwanese college students in both everyday situations and during challenges, aiming to compare the similarities and differences between these contexts. Three primary research questions guided the investigation: (1) What self-compassion practices do students typically engage in during their daily lives? (2) How do students adapt their self-compassion practices during times of adversity? (3) What are the commonalities and disparities in self-compassion practices between everyday life and times of adversity? A total of 206 Taiwanese college students participated in the study (35 males, 171 females, and 1 unidentified). An online survey featuring two open-ended questions was utilized to probe into students' self-compassion experiences across both contexts. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 12 software, revealing four primary themes in college students' self-compassion practices. The proportions observed for everyday life and challenging times were as follows: Life Enjoyment (53.6%/35.8%), Self-Management (19.0%/22.1%), Interpersonal Connection (18.8%/14.9%), and Mental Nourishment (8.6%/27.2%). Compared to everyday life, participants demonstrated lower levels of Life Enjoyment and Interpersonal Connections but exhibited higher levels of Self-Management and Mental Nourishment during times of adversity. Furthermore, distinct subcomponents of self-compassion practices emerged across the different contexts. In conclusion, this study furnishes tangible insights into college students' self-compassion practices, extending their relevance to everyday life and offering valuable guidance for educators in supporting students, particularly those grappling with adversity.

Authors:
Yu-Shan Ting, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
Yu-chu Yeh, National Chengchi University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Yu-chu Yeh is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at National Chengchi University in Taiwan

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