Self-Compassion and Resilience
In Men
 a poster display by:
Megan Funston, Stephanie Gusler, Alexis Knight, Sarah Hastings, &
Tracy Cohn
The  Doctor of Psychology  Program
Abstract.   Positive psychology is a branch of psychology which emphasizes the best qualities of individuals. In those who have survived abuse, literature demonstrates that resilience is possible. Self-compassion may impact level of resilience. Self-compassion is comprised of three components. The first is self-kindness, which means that people view themselves gently rather than casting judgment upon themselves. The second is common humanity, which accepts that personal challenges are part of every human’s life rather than feeling alone with ones experiences. The last aspect is mindfulness, which involves having the ability to be aware of negative thoughts or feelings but not dwelling upon them (Neff, 2009). Our study is part of a larger research project involving an online survey completed by 380 males. Participants responded to three questions about self-compassion and its relevance to men. We used a qualitative approach and developed categories to group participants’ responses. The questions asked participants to define self-compassion in their own words, explain challenges men face in applying self-compassion, and describe difficulties participants endure in everyday life which interfere with self-compassion. We were able to identify themes which provide insight as to how personal compassion affects men. Implications of this study include understanding how self-compassion can be useful to men. Results will advance awareness of the factors that promote resilience in men.
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