Self-Compassion and Resilience in Senior Living Residents

This study examines the relationship between self-compassion and psychological resilience in older adults. A sample of 102 (69% female) older adults residing in independent living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) participated in this study. They completed a survey that assessed self-compassion, perceived stress, general health, happiness, and depression. In older adults with lower self-compassion, high stress and poor health predicted lower levels of happiness and higher levels of depression. Higher self-compassion buffered these negative effects. Older adults with higher selfcompassion displayed greater psychological well-being even when they also had high stress or poor health. These findings have implications for developing and implementing self-compassion programs in senior living communities to enhance resident resilience and psychological well-being.