title: Self-compassionate responses to aging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence suggests that self-compassion may be beneficial to older adults who are struggling to cope with the aging process. The purpose of this study was to assess the thoughts of self-compassionate older adults and to determine whether self-compassionate thoughts relate to positive responses to aging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n = 121, M = 76.2 years, approximately 65% female) completed measures of self-compassion and self-esteem; were randomly assigned to write about a positive, negative, or neutral age-related event; and completed questions about the event and their reactions. Responses were coded for self-compassionate themes and emotional tone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses indicated that self-compassion predicted positive responses to aging and that self-compassionate thoughts explained the relationship between trait self-compassion and emotional tone as well as the belief that one's attitude helped them cope with age-related events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although older adults who were low versus high in self-compassion experienced similar age-related events, participants high in self-compassion thought about these events in ways that predicted positive outcomes. Encouraging older adults to be more self-compassionate may improve well-being in old age.
authors: Address correspondence to Ashley Batts Allen, Psychology Department, 1 UNF Dr. 51/3404, Jacksonville, FL 32224. E-mail: a.allen@unf.edu.
authors: Ashley Batts
authors: AB
authors: Allen
authors: Mark R
authors: MR
authors: Leary
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Aging; Coping; Self-compassion; Self-esteem
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