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The Structure and Development of Dispositional Compassion in Early Adolescence

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Author

  • Hans Bengtsson
  • Micael Söderström
  • Yvonne Terjestam

Summary, in English

Compassion may be directed at a broad range of targets. The present study investigated interrelations among other-directed compassion, self-compassion and environmental compassion in early adolescence (age 12-14; N = 256) and examined how the different manifestations of compassion related to age and sex during this age period. Dispositional compassion directed at different targets was assessed through self-reports and peer nominations. SEM analysis supported a model that portrayed dispositional compassion toward self, others and the environment as three distinct, but interrelated factors. Other-directed compassion and environmental compassion were higher in girls than in boys. There was a decrease in all forms of compassion with age. The drop in self-compassion was linked to negative self-perceptions in 13- and 14-year-old girls. The roles of experience and cognitive factors in linking different forms of dispositional compassion are discussed.

Publishing year

2016-08

Language

English

Pages

840-873

Publication/Series

Journal of Early Adolescence

Volume

36

Issue

6

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Topic

  • Psychology (excluding Applied Psychology)

Keywords

  • environmental concern
  • self-compassion
  • perspective taking
  • sympathy
  • personality development

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1552-5449