Self-Compassion Among Adolescents from Low-Functioning Families: A Descriptive and Correlational Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65067/ph089189Keywords:
Self Compassion, Family Functioning, Adolescents, School CounselingAbstract
Self-compassion is an important psychological resource for adolescents, especially those from low-functioning families. This study aimed to describe self-compassion profiles and examine their relationship with family functioning among adolescents. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was used involving 92 senior high school students. Data were collected using the Family Functioning Scale and the Self-Compassion Scale and analyzed through descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. The findings showed that most adolescents were in the moderate self-compassion category, with higher vulnerability in the dimensions of isolation and overidentification. Family functioning was positively but weakly related to self-compassion. These results indicate the need for school-based counseling interventions to strengthen emotional regulation and self-compassion in adolescents.
Downloads
References
Adjei, N. K., Jonsson, K. R., Opoku-Ware, J., Yaya, S., Chen, Y., Bennett, D., McGovern, R., Munford, L., Black, M., & Taylor-Robinson, D. (2025). Impact of family childhood adversity on risk of violence and involvement with police in adolescence: Findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2024-223168
Allen, A. B., & Leary, M. R. (2010). Self-Compassion, Stress, and Coping. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 4(2), 107–118. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2009.00246.x
Andhika, A. L., Lubis, S. M., & Pohan, R. A. R. (2021). THE IMPACT OF DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY ON ADULT CHILD PORTRAYED IN MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON. 8(June), 15–27.
Apriliawati, D., Riski Saputro, M., Fadhilah, I., Putra, M., Ihza Ashary, A., Chaeratunnisya Vebryana, L., Denisa Apriliawati, K., Kunci, K., Faktor Konfirmatori, A., Keluarga, K., & Alat Ukur, K. (2022). Pengembangan dan Validasi Skala Keberfungsian Keluarga Menggunakan Analisis Faktor Konfirmatori. Psikostudia: Jurnal Psikologi, 11(4), 667–677. http://dx.doi.org/10.30872/psikostudia.v11i4
Ardhana, A. K., Wijaya, R. P. C., & Manafe, R. P. (2023). “ Beta Tangguh ”: Self -Compassion in Survivors of Dysfunctional Family. 5(3), 396–414.
Barragán Martín, A. B., Molero Jurado, M. D. M., Pérez-Fuentes, M. D. C., Oropesa Ruiz, N. F., Martos Martínez, Á., Simón Márquez, M. D. M., & Gázquez Linares, J. J. (2021). Interpersonal support, emotional intelligence and family function in adolescence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105145
Berg, N., Kiviruusu, O., Karvonen, S., Rahkonen, O., & Huurre, T. (2017). Pathways from problems in adolescent family relationships to midlife mental health via early adulthood disadvantages - A 26-year longitudinal study. PLoS ONE, 12(5), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178136
Besharat, M. A. (2003). Parental perfectionism and children’s test anxiety. Psychological Reports, 93(3 II), 1049–1055. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.2003.93.3f.1049
Bluth, K., Campo, R. A., Futch, W. S., & Gaylord, S. A. (2016). Age and Gender Differences in the Associations of Self-Compassion and Emotional Well-being in A Large Adolescent Sample. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46, 840–853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0567-2
Bluth, K., & Eisenlohr-Moul, T. A. (2017). Response to a mindful self-compassion intervention in teens : A within-person association of mindfulness , self-compassion , and emotional well-being outcomes. Journal of Adolescence, 57, 108–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.04.001
Chen, W., Huang, Z., Peng, B., & Hu, H. (2025). Unpacking the relationship between adolescents’ perceived school climate and negative emotions: the chain mediating roles of school belonging and social avoidance and distress. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02364-1
Compas, B. E., Jaser, S. S., Bettis, A. H., Watson, K. H., Gruhn, M. A., Dunbar, J. P., Williams, E., & Thigpen, J. C. (2017). Coping, emotion regulation, and psychopathology in childhood and adolescence: A meta-analysis and narrative review. Psychological Bulletin, 143(9), 939–991. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000110
Cummings, E. M., Merrilees, C. E., & George, M. W. (2011). Fathers, marriages, and families: Revisiting and updating the framework for fathering in family context. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), The role of the father in child development. In Fathers, marriages, and families: Revisiting and updating the framework for fathering in family context. (pp. 154–176). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dewi, S., Kurniati, N., & Asmoro, D. S. (2024). Dampak Dukungan Emosional Teman Sebaya terhadap Remaja : Kajian Sistematik. Jurnal Psikologi, 1(4), 1–12.
Ferrari, M., Yap, K., Scott, N., Einstein, D. A., & Ciarrochi, J. (2018). Self-compassion moderates the perfectionism and depression link in both adolescence and adulthood. 1, 1–19.
Fritz, J., de Graaff, A. M., Caisley, H., van Harmelen, A.-L., & Wilkinson, P. O. (2018). A Systematic Review of Amenable Resilience Factors That Moderate and/or Mediate the Relationship Between Childhood Adversity and Mental Health in Young People. Frontiers in Psychiatry, Volume 9-2018. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00230
Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: Overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 13(6), 353–379. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.507
Groër, M. W., Thomas, S. P., & Shoffner, D. (1992). Adolescent stress and coping: a longitudinal study. Research in Nursing & Health, 15(3), 209–217. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770150307
Grummitt, L., Kelly, E. V, Newton, N. C., Stapinski, L., Lawler, S., Prior, K., & Barrett, E. L. (2023). Child Abuse & Neglect Self-compassion and avoidant coping as mediators of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental health and alcohol use in young adulthood. Child Abuse & Neglect. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106534
Haeyen, S., & Noorthoorn, E. (2021). Validity of the Self-Expression and Emotion Regulation in Art Therapy Scale (SERATS). PloS One, 16(3), e0248315. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248315
Hasmarlin, H., & Hirmaningsih. (2019). Self-Compassion dan Regulasi Emosi pada Remaja. Jurnal Psikologi, 15(2), 148–156.
Jannah, M., Hariastuti, R. T., & Nursalim, M. (2023). Negative impact of a dysfunctional family on adolescents: A literature study. Harmoni Sosial: Jurnal Pendidikan IPS, 10(2), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.21831/hsjpi.v10i1.57861
Jiang, Y., You, J., Hou, Y., Du, C., & Lin, M. (2016). Buffering the effects of peer victimization on adolescent non-suicidal self-injury : The role of self-compassion and family cohesion. Journal of Adolescence, 53, 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.09.005
Jin, S., Liu, J., & Miao, M. (2023). Family Incivility Impedes Interpersonal Adaptation and Increases Loneliness in Adolescents: Self-Compassion as a Mediator. Mindfulness, 14, 2014–2025. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02188-3
Kealy, D., Seidler, Z. E., Rice, S. M., Cox, D. W., Oliffe, J. L., Ogrodniczuk, J. S., & Kim, D. (2021). Reduced Emotional Awareness and Distress Concealment: A Pathway to Loneliness for Young Men Seeking Mental Health Care. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 679639. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.679639
Kong, R., Chen, R., & Meng, L. (2024). Parental conflict and adolescents’ socially adverse emotions: the mediating role of family functioning. Frontiers in Psychology, 15(October), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1387698
Liu, S., Yang, H., Cheng, M., & Miao, T. (2022). Family Dysfunction and Cyberchondria among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159716
Loades, M. E., Chatburn, E., Higson-Sweeney, N., Reynolds, S., Shafran, R., Brigden, A., Linney, C., McManus, M. N., Borwick, C., & Crawley, E. (2020). Rapid Systematic Review: The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(11), 1218-1239.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.009
Magson, N. R., Fardouly, J., Freeman, J. Y. A., Rapee, R. M., Richardson, C. E., & Oar, E. L. (2021). Risk and Protective Factors for Prospective Changes in Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50(1), 44–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01332-9
Marshall, S. L., Parker, P. D., Ciarrochi, J., Sahdra, B., Jackson, C. J., & Heaven, P. C. L. (2015). Self-compassion protects against the negative effects of low self-esteem : A longitudinal study in a large adolescent sample. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, 74, 116–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.09.013
Medrano-Sánchez, E. J., Gómez Ybañez, J. M., & Medrano-Sánchez, G. M. (2024). Creating Harmony: Positive Strategies for Adolescents in Dysfunctional Families - Literature Review (2019-2023). Interciencia, 49(9), 519–526.
Mehr, K. E., & Adams, A. C. (2016). Self-Compassion as a Mediator of Maladaptive Perfectionism and Depressive Symptoms in College Students. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy ISSN:, 30(2), 132–145. https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2016.1140991
Mei, S., Zheng, C., Liang, L., Kiyum, M., Yuan, T., Fei, J., Liu, K., Li, H., & Lin, X. (2025). The developmental trajectories and modifiable factors of adolescents’ subjective well-being from late adolescence to early adulthood. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 19(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-025-00881-w
Neff, K. (2003a). Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization ofa Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself. Psychology Press, 2, 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9450.00195
Neff, K. (2003b). The Relational Compassion Scale: Development and Validation of a new self rated Scale for the Assessment of Self Other Compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860390209035
Neff, K., & McGehee, P. (2010). Self-compassion and psychological resilience among adolescents and young adults. Self and Identity, 9(3), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860902979307
Olaleye, A. O., & Akinwumi, F. S. (2023). The Relationship Between Family Conflicts And Students ’ Academic Engagement : A Case Study Of Selected Secondary Students In Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. 13(6), 31–37. https://doi.org/10.9790/7388-1306013137
Parillo, V. N. (2008). Encylopedia Of Social Problems 1 & 2 (V. N. Parillo (ed.); Vol. 11, Issue 1). SAGE Publications, Inc. http://scioteca.caf.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/1091/RED2017-Eng-8ene.pdf?sequence=12&isAllowed=y%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2008.06.005%0Ahttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/305320484
Rahman, N. S., Sugara, G. S., & Rahimsyah, A. P. (2025). The Effect of Self-Compassion on Resilience in Students Affected by Divorce. Kajian Bimbingan Dan Konseling Dalam Pendidikan, 9(3), 328–337.
Rahmawati, I., Sugiana, G., Anandha, S., & Rahimsyah, P. (2024). Mindfulness and Self-Compassion as Key Factors in Developing Students ’ Emotional Intelligence. 1(1), 22–32.
Ramadhan, R. A. (2024). Students ’ profile of self-compassion at senior high school and implications for guidance and counseling. Professional Guidance and Counseling Journal, 5(2), 78–90.
Sahi, R. S., Eisenberger, N. I., & Silvers, J. A. (2023). Peer facilitation of emotion regulation in adolescence. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 62, 101262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101262
Sugianto, D., Suwartono, C., & Sutanto, S. H. (2020). RELIABILITAS DAN VALIDITAS SELF-COMPASSION SCALE VERSI BAHASA INDONESIA. Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat, 7(2), 177–191. https://doi.org/10.24854/jpu02020-337
Tarifa Pérez, J., Monserrat Hernández, M., Arjona Garrido, Á., Salguero García, D., & Checa Olmos, J. C. (2023). Adolescent Behaviours and Their Relationship to the Risk of Developing Eating Disorders. Healthcare (Switzerland), 11(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11040624
Tsai, W., Nguyen, D. J., Weiss, B., Ngo, V., & Lau, A. S. (2017). Cultural Differences in the Reciprocal Relations between Emotion Suppression Coping, Depressive Symptoms and Interpersonal Functioning among Adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 45(4), 657–669. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-016-0192-2
Ubaidi, B. A. Al. (2017). Cost of Growing up in Dysfunctional Family. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention, 3(3), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-5793/1510059
Walsh, F. (2016). Strengthening family resilience (Third edition). The Guilford Press.
Wu, X., & Guo, Z. (2025). The impact of loneliness on alexithymia among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of problematic smartphone use and the moderating effect of fear of negative evaluation. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 2812. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23721-0
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nida Nurhamidah, Gian Sugiana Sugara, Anandha Putri Rahimsyah, Galuh Adji Pratama (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.










