Exploring the impact of self-compassion and personality traits on the association between relational betrayal trauma and posttraumatic growth in young adults

Research examined the mediating effect of self-compassion on the link between relational betrayal trauma (non-romantic) and posttraumatic growth. Research went on to examine the moderating influence of personality traits on the existing mediating relationship. The data was collected from students (M= 1.60; S. D= .49) of different public sector universities of Faisalabad currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. Purposive sampling method was used for collecting data. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Good psychometric characteristics were revealed for measured variables. Results demonstrated that the Big-five inventory (α = .74), relational betrayal trauma scale (α = .87), self-compassion scale (α = .76), and posttraumatic growth inventory (α = .89) were found reliable. It was confirmed by the findings that direct effect of relational betrayal trauma on the growth following trauma was fully and significantly bridged by self-compassion. The moderated mediation revealed that personality traits like agreeableness and conscientiousness moderates the relationship. Study helps the psychologist to gain insight about the importance of self-compassion which leads towards growth following trauma.