Volume 7, Issue 2 (June 2025)
IEEPJ 2025, 7(2): 1-16 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Farzi M, Babapour Y, Sharif Bejestani M, Rostami M. (2025). The Mediating Role of Mindfulness in the Relationship between Self-Compassion and Psychological Vulnerability in Nursing Students. IEEPJ. 7(2), 1-16.
URL: http://ieepj.hormozgan.ac.ir/article-1-1167-en.html
URL: http://ieepj.hormozgan.ac.ir/article-1-1167-en.html
1- M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen Branch, Tehran, Iran
2- M.A. in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran West Branch, Tehran, Iran
3- M.A. in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran West Branch, Tehran ,Mahsa.sharif.b@gmail.com
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
2- M.A. in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran West Branch, Tehran, Iran
3- M.A. in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran West Branch, Tehran ,
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
Abstract: (583 Views)
Objective: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between self‑compassion and psychological vulnerability.
Methods: The research employed a descriptive‑correlational design using path analysis. The statistical population consisted of all students enrolled in Tehran paramedical faculties during the 2023–2024 academic year. A total of 273 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Psychological Vulnerability Scale (SCL‑25; Najarian & Davoudi, 2001), the Self‑Compassion Scale–Short Form (SCS‑SF; Raes et al., 2011), and the Five‑Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ; Baer et al., 2004). Correlation analysis and path analysis were used for data analysis.
Results: Goodness‑of‑fit indices indicated that the proposed model had an acceptable fit. The results showed that the direct effects of self‑compassion and mindfulness on psychological vulnerability were significant. In addition, the indirect effect of self‑compassion on psychological vulnerability through mindfulness was also significant (p < .01).
Conclusions: The findings suggest that psychological vulnerability in nursing students is predicted by self‑compassion with the mediating role of mindfulness. Furthermore, mindfulness—considering the influence of self‑compassion—can help explain symptoms of psychological vulnerability in nursing students.
Methods: The research employed a descriptive‑correlational design using path analysis. The statistical population consisted of all students enrolled in Tehran paramedical faculties during the 2023–2024 academic year. A total of 273 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Psychological Vulnerability Scale (SCL‑25; Najarian & Davoudi, 2001), the Self‑Compassion Scale–Short Form (SCS‑SF; Raes et al., 2011), and the Five‑Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ; Baer et al., 2004). Correlation analysis and path analysis were used for data analysis.
Results: Goodness‑of‑fit indices indicated that the proposed model had an acceptable fit. The results showed that the direct effects of self‑compassion and mindfulness on psychological vulnerability were significant. In addition, the indirect effect of self‑compassion on psychological vulnerability through mindfulness was also significant (p < .01).
Conclusions: The findings suggest that psychological vulnerability in nursing students is predicted by self‑compassion with the mediating role of mindfulness. Furthermore, mindfulness—considering the influence of self‑compassion—can help explain symptoms of psychological vulnerability in nursing students.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Evolutionary Psychology
Received: 2024/12/12 | Accepted: 2025/04/14 | Published: 2025/06/1
Received: 2024/12/12 | Accepted: 2025/04/14 | Published: 2025/06/1
References
1. Aghakhani, N., Hazrati-Marangaloo, A., Jamali-Moghadam, N., & Qodsbin, F. (2019). Examination of the psychological status and academic performance of nursing students at the Shiraz School of Nursing and Midwifery. Sadra Medical Sciences Journal, 7(3), 251-260.
2. Alsolais, A., Alquwez, N., Cruz, J. P., & Almoghairi, A. M. (2024). Psychological distress, academic stress, and coping strategies among nursing students: A cross-sectional study. Nurse Education Today, 134, 106102.
3. Auerbach, R. P., Mortier, P., Bruffaerts, R., Alonso, J., Benjet, C., Cuijpers, P., et al. (2022). The WHO World Mental Health International College Student initiative: Prevalence and distribution of mental disorders. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 131(3), 245-259.
4. Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27-45. [DOI:10.1177/1073191105283504]
5. BagheriPanah, M., Golafroz, M., Boloorsaz-Mashhadi, H., Moayedimehr, M., & Khorooshi, M. (2020). The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between psychological vulnerability and attachment to God among female students at Karaj Islamic Azad University. Journal of Pizhūhish dar Dīn va Salāmat, 6(1), 74-86.
6. Creswell, J. D. (2024). Mindfulness interventions and psychological well-being: Recent advances and future directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 75, 213-238.
7. Feng, X., Zhu, H., Cai, P., Zhang, Y., & Chen, Y. (2024). Mindfulness in ward nurses: A concept analysis. Nursing Open, 11(1), e2052. [DOI:10.1002/nop2.2052]
8. Fisher, V., Li, W. W., & Malabu, U. (2023). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the mental health, HbA1c, and mindfulness of diabetes patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. [DOI:10.1111/aphw.12441]
9. Galante, J., Dufour, G., Vainre, M., Wagner, A. P., Stochl, J., Benton, A., et al. (2023). A mindfulness-based program for university students: Long-term outcomes of wellbeing and mental health. The Lancet Public Health, 8(2), e148-e158.
10. Galvin, J., & Richards, G. (2023). The indirect effect of self-compassion in the association between autistic traits and anxiety/depression: A cross-sectional study in autistic and non-autistic adults. Autism, 27(5), 1256-1270. [DOI:10.1177/13623613221132109]
11. Gao, L., Xie, Y., Jia, C., & Wang, W. (2020). Prevalence of depression among Chinese university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 15897. [DOI:10.1038/s41598-020-72998-1]
12. Goldberg, S. B., Tucker, R. P., & Greene, P. A. (2023). Mindfulness-based interventions for psychiatric disorders: Contemporary evidence. Clinical Psychology Review, 99, 102234.
13. Golden, H. L., Vosper, J., Kingston, J., & Ellett, L. (2021). The impact of mindfulness-based programmes on self-compassion in nonclinical populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 12, 29-52. [DOI:10.1007/s12671-020-01501-8]
14. Gu, J., Strauss, C., Bond, R., & Cavanagh, K. (2021). How do mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction improve mental health? Clinical Psychology Review, 84, 101972.
15. Han, A., & Kim, T. H. (2023). Effects of self-compassion interventions on reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress: A meta-analysis. Mindfulness. [DOI:10.1007/s12671-023-02148-x]
16. Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. G. (2024). Acceptance and mindfulness processes in behavioral therapies. Behavior Therapy, 55(1), 10-28.
17. Keng, S. L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2024). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: Updated review of empirical studies. Current Psychology, 43(6), 5201-5218.
18. Khan, A. H., Rahman, Q. M., Al Zubayer, A., Kamran, H. M., Ahmed, M., Hasan, M. T., et al. (2024). Factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among Bangladeshi university students after one year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 15, 100685. [DOI:10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100685]
19. Kotera, Y., Cockerill, V., Chircop, J. G., & Forman, D. (2021). Mental health shame, self-compassion and sleep in UK nursing students: Complete mediation of self-compassion in sleep and mental health. Nursing Open, 8(3), 1325-1335. [DOI:10.1002/nop2.749]
20. Kotera, Y., Green, P., & Van Gordon, W. (2018). Mental wellbeing of caring profession students: Relationship with caregiver identity, self-compassion, and intrinsic motivation. Mindfulness & Compassion.
21. Labrague, L. J. (2023). Stress, resilience, and mental health among nursing students: An integrative review. Journal of Professional Nursing, 45, 12-21.
22. Larcombe, W., Ryan, T., & Baik, C. (2023). Are international students relatively resilient? Comparing international and domestic students' levels of self-compassion, mental health and wellbeing. Higher Education Research & Development, 1-15. [DOI:10.1080/07294360.2023.2234315]
23. Lattie, E. G., Cohen, K. A., Hersch, E., Williams, K. D., Kruzan, K. P., MacIver, C., et al. (2022). Uptake and effectiveness of a self-guided mobile app platform for college student mental health. Internet Interventions, 27, 100493. [DOI:10.1016/j.invent.2021.100493]
24. Makadi, E., & Koszycki, D. (2020). Exploring connections between self-compassion, mindfulness, and social anxiety. Mindfulness, 11, 480-492. [DOI:10.1007/s12671-019-01270-z]
25. McVeigh, C., Ace, L., Ski, C. F., Carswell, C., Burton, S., Rej, S., & Noble, H. (2021). Mindfulness-based interventions for undergraduate nursing students in a university setting: A narrative review. Healthcare, 9(11), 1493. [DOI:10.3390/healthcare9111493]
26. Najarian, B., & Davoudi, I. (2001). Construction and validation of the short form of the SCL 25. Journal of Psychology, 5(18), 136-149.
27. Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85-101. [DOI:10.1080/15298860309032]
28. Niedermeier, J., Mumba, M. N., Barron, K., Andrabi, M., Martin, R., & McDiarmid, A. (2022). Relationships among exercise, mindfulness, mental health, and academic achievement among prelicensure nursing students. Nurse Educator, 47(3), 184-189. [DOI:10.1097/NNE.0000000000001106]
29. Pérez-Aranda, A., García-Campayo, J., Gude, F., Luciano, J. V., Feliu-Soler, A., González-Quintela, A., et al. (2021). Impact of mindfulness and self-compassion on anxiety and depression: The mediating role of resilience. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 21(2), 100229. [DOI:10.1016/j.ijchp.2021.100229]
30. Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff, K. D., & Van Gucht, D. (2011). Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the self-compassion scale. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 18(3), 250-255. [DOI:10.1002/cpp.702]
31. Rogers, W., Mackenzie, C., & Dodds, S. (2012). Why bioethics needs a concept of vulnerability. International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics, 5(2), 11-38. [DOI:10.3138/ijfab.5.2.11]
32. Ross, A. R. (2020). Depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and self-compassion in graduate nursing students (Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Davis).
33. Shahbazi, M., Rajabi, G., Moghami, A., & Jaloudari, A. (2015). Confirmatory factor structure of the Persian version of the Self Compassion Scale-Revised in a sample of prisoners. Journal of Psychological Methods and Models, 6(19), 31-46.
34. Son, C., Lee, H., & Kim, S. (2023). Depression, anxiety, and stress among college students: Post-pandemic challenges and interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(9), 5441.
35. Sonmez, Y., Akdemir, M., Meydanlioglu, A., & Aktekin, M. R. (2023). Psychological distress, depression, and anxiety in nursing students: A longitudinal study. Healthcare, 11(5), 636. [DOI:10.3390/healthcare11050636]
36. Tamanaeifar, S., Asgharnejad, A., Mirzaei, M., & Soleimani, M. (2016). Psychometric properties of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Developmental Psychology Quarterly (Iranian Psychologists), 12(47), 321-329.
37. Taylor, S. B., Kennedy, L. A., Lee, C. E., & Waller, E. K. (2022). Common humanity in the classroom: Increasing self-compassion and coping self-efficacy through a mindfulness-based intervention. Journal of American College Health, 70(1), 142-149. [DOI:10.1080/07448481.2020.1728278]
38. Teixeira, S., Ferré-Grau, C., Canut, T. L., Pires, R., Carvalho, J. C., Ribeiro, I., et al. (2022). Positive mental health in university students and its relations with psychological vulnerability, mental health literacy, and sociodemographic characteristics: A descriptive correlational study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3185. [DOI:10.3390/ijerph19063185]
39. Tran, M. A. Q., Vo-Thanh, T., Soliman, M., Ha, A. T., & Van Pham, M. (2022). Could mindfulness diminish mental health disorders? The serial mediating role of self-compassion and psychological well-being. Current Psychology. [DOI:10.1007/s12144-022-03421-3]
40. Uğur, E., Kaya, Ç., & Tanhan, A. (2021). Psychological inflexibility mediates the relationship between fear of negative evaluation and psychological vulnerability. Current Psychology, 40(9), 4265-4277. [DOI:10.1007/s12144-020-01074-8]
41. Vione, K. C., & Kotera, Y. (2023). Mindfulness-based approaches for COVID-19 mental health in working from home. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 21(2), 1132-1138. [DOI:10.1007/s11469-021-00647-3]
42. Xue, S., Gu, Q., Zhu, K., & Jiang, J. (2023). Self-compassion buffers the impact of learned helplessness on adverse mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. Journal of Affective Disorders, 327, 285-291. [DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.099]
43. Zhang, D., Lee, E. K., Mak, E. C., Ho, C. Y., & Wong, S. Y. (2021). Mindfulness-based interventions: An overall review. British Medical Bulletin, 138(1), 41-57. [DOI:10.1093/bmb/ldab005]
44. Zhu, J. L., Schülke, R., Vatansever, D., Xi, D., Yan, J., Zhao, H., et al. (2021). Mindfulness practice for protecting mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 329. [DOI:10.1038/s41398-021-01459-8]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
