Gender differences in self-compassion: a latent profile analysis of compassionate and uncompassionate self-relating in a large adolescent sample

Abstract Self-compassion, a healthy way of relating to oneself, may promote psychological resilience during adolescence. How adolescents engage with self-compassion, and whether they have distinct self-compassionate or uncompassionate profiles, is unclear. This study investigated potential self-compassion profiles based on responses the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form (SCS-SF) examined their relationship range mental health symptoms cognitive emotional tendencies. A large cross-sectional sample high school students ( N = 950; M age 13.70 years, SD 0.72, 12 16 years; 434 female 495 male) completed several online self-report measures including SCS-SF. Latent profile analysis identified parsimonious by gender using six SCS-SF subscales. Five included ‘Low Self-Relating’, ‘Uncompassionate’, ‘High ‘Moderately Compassionate’ ‘Highly Compassionate’. Comparatively, two male Self-Relating’ Self-Relating’. Low Self-Relating involved low levels both compassionate responding, Moderately higher both. Highly Compassionate for females consistently reported lower anxiety depression symptoms, maladaptive perfectionism, intolerance uncertainty, repetitive thinking avoidance-fusion patterns compared other profiles. males more adaptive outcomes Moderate males. These findings illustrate important adolescent differences in self-response Results suggest an construct diverse benefits females, whereas lack attachment either response styles are linked better outcomes.