Self-compassion and forms of concern for others

a r t i c l e i n f o The subject of positive attitudes toward self and others has recently been the recipient of growing attention. In two studies, we explored self-compassion (SC) and forms of concern for others as they relate to various aspects of psychological functioning. SC was negatively associated with pathological concern (PC) and not associated with healthy concern (HC). PC was indicative of emotional and interpersonal difficulties, and a lack of well-being. SC and HC were indicative of better emotional and interpersonal functioning and greater well-being. Results of the two studies suggest that SC and HC differ from one another in terms of the particular personal orientation they express. PC on the other hand serves as a coping strategy with a fragile sense of self. Positive attitudes toward the welfare of others as expressed in feelings of joy with regard to their successes, and sorrow with regard to their distress, have in recent years drawn more attention in psychological research and discourse (Aspinwall & Staudinger, 2003; Tolmacz, 2013). Terms such as " compassion " or " concern " are used interchangeably to describe an individual's awareness of another person's pain, in a way that gives rise to the emergence of kind feelings and the desire to alleviate the other's suffering (Wispe, 1991). In addition, as this attitude is based on an interest in others' welfare, it does not arise only in the context of distress. It also finds expression in happiness for others' accomplishments (Tolmacz, 2008). Alongside the interest in the subject of positive attitudes toward others, there has also been growing interest in the ways in which one can apply aspects of these attitudes toward oneself. In the present study, we wish to explore the nature of the relationship between positive attitudes toward the self and positive attitudes toward others. 1.1. Concern for others This growing interest in different aspects of positive attitudes toward others has brought about a better understanding of these atti-tudes' various components and unveiled a number of distinctions between them. These include the proposed distinction between empa-thy and sympathy (Wispé, 1986), the distinction among various kinds of caring (Boleyn–Fitzgerald, 2003), and the distinction between concern and empathy (Tolmacz, 2008). In addition, clinical evidence, theoretical perspectives and research all suggest that concern is not a monolithic concept and that its various forms are influenced by multiple and sometimes antagonistic motives, …