Self-Compassion and Bullying: discussing risk and protective factors in peer group relations

Abstract

Bullying experiences may contribute negatively in the adolescent view toward oneself and peers. It is hypothesized that the adoption of a warm, non-evaluative and sensitive posture by one when experiencing suffer, as self-compassion is defined, may be an adaptive strategy toward hostile situations. This study investigated differences among adolescents regarding self-compassion levels and bullying experiences, as the relation between constructs. 551 adolescents participated, 57% female, with an average age of 15.1 years (SD = 1.7), students at Brazilian public schools. Pearson´s correlation analyses were adopted to explore relations between self-compassion and bullying. Posteriorly, the sample was divided among two extremes groups of the self-compassion scale and their means were compared. Significant negative correlations were found between self-compassion and types of bullying, as with victimization roles. When separated by groups, adolescents with higher levels of self-compassion presented lower levels of bullying experiences and higher mean in victim protector role. The existence of secure and support relations may contribute to the development of abilities and compassionate responses to help others and to emotional regulation in difficult situations.