Data from study on Self-compassion in the Field of Addiction

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the role of self-compassion in individuals with substance use disorders, focusing on its associations with emotion regulation difficulties, depression, anxiety, stress, and thought suppression.

Method: The study included 150 participants, aged 30-71 years, of Greek ethnicity enrolled in a rehabilitation program at the Organization Against Drugs (OKANA). Participants completed four self-report measures: the Self-Compassion Scale, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and the White Bear Suppression Inventory. Data were collected between October 2023 and January 2024.

Results: Self-compassion was negatively correlated with difficulties in emotion regulation (r = −.552, p < .05), depression, anxiety, and stress (r = −.530, p < .05), and thought suppression (r = −.428, p < .05). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that self-compassion significantly predicted lower levels of psychological distress (β = −.230, p < .001) and mediated the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and psychological distress. The final model explained 45.2% of the variance in depression, anxiety, and stress (95% CI [0.35, 0.55]). Bootstrap analysis (1,000 samples) confirmed the robustness of these results.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that self-compassion may serve as a protective factor in managing psychological distress among individuals with substance use disorders. Incorporating self-compassion-focused interventions into addiction recovery programs may enhance emotional resilience and reduce the use of maladaptive coping strategies.