Self-compassion and its Relationship to Narcissism and Codependence in Psychology Students
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between Self-Compassion and Narcissism and Codependence among psychology students. The purpose of the study was to highlight the importance of Self-Compassion in the trainings of psychology students by showing that Self-Compassion is negatively correlated with Narcissism and Codependence. In addition, it was proposed that Codependence negatively correlates with Narcissism. Moreover, it was proposed that Self-Compassion will correlate positively with the three subscales of Narcissism that constitute 'positive' Narcissism (Authority, Superiority and Self-sufficiency) and will correlate negatively with the four subscales of Narcissism that constitute 'pathological' Narcissism (Exploitativeness, Exhibitionism, Entitlement and Vanity). Furthermore, it was hypothesized that Self-Compassion would correlate positively with age. The sample constituted of 97 psychology students from 3 different universities. The students completed The Self-Compassion Scale, The Spann – Fischer Codependence Scale, and The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-40-item). Findings confirmed that Codependence correlated negatively with Self-Compassion while Narcissism showed no correlation. No correlation was found between Narcissism and Codependence. Findings also showed a weak positive correlation between Self-Compassion and Self-Sufficiency which is one of the three subscales of NPI that indicate positive Narcissism; the results were not significant to support the claim that Self-Compassion correlated positively with the three subscales of Narcissism. No correlation was found between Self-Compassion and age.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Matraji, N. (2012). Self-compassion and its Relationship to Narcissism and Codependence in Psychology Students (SBS thesis, Haigazian University)