Self-Compassion and Empathy as Predictors of Happiness among Late Adolescents

Attiya Inam, Hafsa Fatima, Hira Naeem, Hamna Mujeeb, Roquyya Khatoon, Tallat Wajahat, Liviu Catalin Andrei, Slađana Starčević and Farooq Sher
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Attiya Inam: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Home Economics, Lahore 54660, Pakistan
Hafsa Fatima: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Home Economics, Lahore 54660, Pakistan
Hira Naeem: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Home Economics, Lahore 54660, Pakistan
Hamna Mujeeb: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Home Economics, Lahore 54660, Pakistan
Roquyya Khatoon: Centre for South Asian Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
Tallat Wajahat: Institute of Education and Research School, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan
Liviu Catalin Andrei: Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, 012244 București, Romania
Slađana Starčević: Department of Economics and Management, FEFA Faculty, Metropolitan University, Bulevar Zorana Đinđića 44, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia
Farooq Sher: Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK

Social Sciences, 2021, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: Happiness is a fundamental characteristic of life, helping individuals to become healthy and productive members of society. Pakistan has been ranked as the 67th happiest country out of 156 countries in the world. Self-compassion (SC) and empathy are considered some of the finest emotions and moral values of human beings leading to a happier life. This is the first study in South Asia that examined self-compassion as a moderator between empathy and happiness. Furthermore, we also determined self-compassion and empathy as predictors of happiness among late adolescents. Data collected from 566 students, selected randomly from different educational institutions in Lahore, suggested that self-compassion ( r = 0.273) and empathy ( r = 0.131) had a significant positive relationship with happiness. Self-compassion and empathy both significantly predicted happiness. Male adolescents had slightly higher self-compassion and mindfulness than females. Self-compassion ( F (3, 562) = 29.74, p = 0.000) was found to significantly moderate the relationship between empathy and happiness. Self-compassion can be highly beneficial to relate to oneself, specifically for adolescents who are involved in developing their identities and self-worth, and it makes their transition from adolescence to adulthood easy.

Keywords: social science; self-compassion; empathy; happiness; well-being; late adolescent (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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