Abstract:
This study examined the moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between post-traumatic symptoms (PTS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among adults with trauma exposure. A sample of 413 participants (254 women, 155 men) aged 18 to 81 years (M = 33.8; SD = 12.9) completed questionnaires assessing trauma exposure, PTS, PTG, and self-compassion. The results indicated that women reported significantly higher PTS and lower self-compassion than men, while no significant gender differences were found for PTG. Correlational analyses revealed a significant positive association between PTS and PTG, and a significant negative association between PTS and self-compassion. Moderation analysis demonstrated that self-compassion significantly moderated the relationship between PTS and PTG, with higher levels of self-compassion linked to greater PTG, even at elevated levels of PTS. These findings underscore the importance of self-compassion as a protective factor in trauma recovery, promoting positive psychological transformation despite the presence of distress.
Read the entire article “The Protectice Role of Self-Compassion in Trauma Recovery and it’s Moderating Impact on Posttraumatic Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth” https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-91819-x
Continue reading more about Posttraumatic Growth in our resource library.
PTG Resource CenterYour support powers life-changing programs offered at no charge to veterans, military, first responders, and their families. With your help, our Warriors won't just survive — they'll thrive.
We have received your email sign-up. Please tell us more about yourself.