Investigating the Link between Self-Compassion, Coping Styles and Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Students

Abstract

Emerging adulthood, characterized by the rapid emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development during this stage, exposes young adults to several diverse and various sources of stressors that affect their mental health. The current research addresses a gap in the literature by focusing on the interaction between self-compassion, coping styles, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among students. The study hypothesizes that higher self-compassion correlates with fewer PTSS symptoms and that adaptive coping mechanisms mediate this relationship. Analyzing a sample of 143 students revealed that self-compassion is associated with reduced PTSS. Problem-focused coping partially mediated this relationship, suggesting that actively addressing stressors helps maintain self-compassion. In contrast, avoidant and emotion-focused coping did not mediate this relationship, indicating their limited effectiveness. These findings underscore the importance of self-compassion and adaptive coping in mitigating PTSS, suggesting potential pathways for enhancing student resilience through targeted interventions. This study contributes to understanding student mental health, emphasizing the need for support systems that promote self- compassion and effective coping strategies.