TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-compassion predicts less boredom
T2 - The role of meaning in life
AU - O'Dea, Muireann K.
AU - Igou, Eric R.
AU - van Tilburg, Wijnand A.P.
AU - Kinsella, Elaine L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2022/2
Y1 - 2022/2
N2 - Boredom is a prevalent experience linked to negative psychological and societal outcomes. Building on the notion that sources of meaning in life can mitigate boredom, we examined whether self-compassion would be negatively associated with boredom and if the elevated sense of meaning in life that self-compassion offers could explain this negative association. We tested these predictions at the trait and state level using self-report measures with three correlational studies. In Study 1 (N = 49), we tested if trait self-compassion correlated negatively with boredom proneness. In Study 2 (N = 265), we investigated if this relationship was mediated by presence of meaning in life. In Study 3 (N = 191), we tested this mediational model for state experiences of self-compassion, meaning in life, and boredom. Correlational (SPSS) and mediational analyses (AMOS) were used to analyze the data. Consistently, we found negative associations between self-compassion and boredom (Studies 1–3). Further, presence of meaning in life mediated the relationship between self-compassion and boredom (Study 2 and 3). We conclude that self-compassionate individuals are less likely to experience boredom and this is partially explained by greater meaning presence. The findings add to the notion that self-compassion, offering meaning in life, reduces boredom.
AB - Boredom is a prevalent experience linked to negative psychological and societal outcomes. Building on the notion that sources of meaning in life can mitigate boredom, we examined whether self-compassion would be negatively associated with boredom and if the elevated sense of meaning in life that self-compassion offers could explain this negative association. We tested these predictions at the trait and state level using self-report measures with three correlational studies. In Study 1 (N = 49), we tested if trait self-compassion correlated negatively with boredom proneness. In Study 2 (N = 265), we investigated if this relationship was mediated by presence of meaning in life. In Study 3 (N = 191), we tested this mediational model for state experiences of self-compassion, meaning in life, and boredom. Correlational (SPSS) and mediational analyses (AMOS) were used to analyze the data. Consistently, we found negative associations between self-compassion and boredom (Studies 1–3). Further, presence of meaning in life mediated the relationship between self-compassion and boredom (Study 2 and 3). We conclude that self-compassionate individuals are less likely to experience boredom and this is partially explained by greater meaning presence. The findings add to the notion that self-compassion, offering meaning in life, reduces boredom.
KW - Boredom
KW - Meaning
KW - Self-compassion
KW - Well-being
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118579111&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111360
DO - 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111360
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85118579111
SN - 0191-8869
VL - 186
SP - -
JO - Personality and Individual Differences
JF - Personality and Individual Differences
M1 - 111360
ER -