Frontiers in Psychology (Dec 2023)

Comparing self-esteem and self-compassion: an analysis within the big five personality traits framework

  • Fan Yang,
  • Chiaki Hagiwara,
  • Tomomi Kotani,
  • Joji Hirao,
  • Atsushi Oshio

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1302197
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Self-esteem and self-compassion are two ways to relate to oneself. However, little is known about the similarities and differences between these two constructs. The current study used cross-sectional data from a Japanese sample to explore their relationship from a Big Five perspective. Results showed that differences between self-esteem and self-compassion appeared mainly in openness, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Specifically, self-esteem was uniquely associated with openness, and self-compassion was uniquely associated with agreeableness. Moreover, the negative correlation between self-compassion and neuroticism was larger than that between self-esteem and neuroticism. Implications and future directions are discussed.

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