Self-kindness and Self-Criticism as Unique and Common Predictors of Subjective Well-being Following Positive Psychology Interventions

The current study examines the self-kindness factor of the Self-Compassion Scale [1] compared to a well validated measure of self-criticism in the context of a longitudinal study measuring the impact of positive psychology interventions on subjective well-being. Results indicated that self-kindness uniquely predicted increases in compassionate and positive affect at the six-month follow-up. Self-criticism uniquely predicted improvements in depression and life satisfaction for up to six months. Both constructs predicted significant improvements in negative affect and happiness. The results suggest that the two constructs represent separate psychological processes that tap into different emotional systems. Being "hard on oneself" relates to depressive affect while being kind relates to compassionate affect, and both can be responsive to positive psychology interventions.