A Longitudinal and Dyadic Examination of Self-Compassion and Relationship Quality in Japanese Couples

Abstract

Objectives: Past research has suggested that self-compassion fosters interpersonal functioning in Western samples. We extended previous findings by employing a longitudinal (Study 1) and a dyadic (Study 2) design in Japan. We hypothesized that self-compassion would predict higher relationship satisfaction and lower psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) beyond self-esteem. Methods: Study 1 examined longitudinal associations using three-wave data across 6 months from 1,021 individuals involved in romantic relationships. Study 2 examined dyadic associations using cross-sectional dyadic data from 406 married couples. These participants completed the scales of self-compassion, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, and psychological IPV perpetration (Study 1) and victimization (Study 2). Results: A cross-lagged panel model in Study 1 indicated that self-compassion prospectively predicted lower psychological IPV perpetration (averaged β = -0.05). This model also revealed a bidirectional association between self-compassion (averaged β = 0.05) and relationship satisfaction (averaged β = 0.04). An actor-partner interdependence model in Study 2 indicated actor effects of self-compassion on own relationship satisfaction (β = 0.16, p < 0.001) and psychological IPV victimization (β = -0.09, p = 0.04). Importantly, we found that actors’ self-compassion was positively associated with partners’ relationship satisfaction (β = 0.12, p = 0.02) and negatively associated with partners’ psychological IPV victimization (β = -0.19, p < 0.001). These results were independent of self-esteem. Conclusions: Self-compassion appears to help individuals have a satisfying relationship and avoid perpetrating psychological violence toward relationship partners in romantic and married couples in Japan. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered.

Publication Title

Mindfulness

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