Mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between shame and subjective wellbeing in young adults

Individuals sometimes experience setbacks that evoke deep feelings of shame, often resulting in self-imposed isolation and intensified self-criticism. In such moments, self-compassion serves as an understanding friend, offering support and enhancing wellbeing. The present study examined the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between shame (internal and external) and subjective wellbeing in young adults. Participants were 433 young adults (64% female) aged 18-32 years (M = 20.56, SD = 2.01) from a public university in Türkiye. The initial model showed that external shame negatively predicted self-compassion, and subjective wellbeing. The second model showed that internal shame significantly and negatively predicted self-compassion and was directly associated with subjective wellbeing. Also, self-compassion mediated the link between internal shame and subjective wellbeing. Finally, it is found that self-compassion has a partial mediating role in the relationship between both internal and external shame and subjective wellbeing. The findings suggest that both internal and external forms of shame negatively predict self-compassion, which, in turn, reduces subjective wellbeing in young adults. The results suggest that self-compassion and shame are promising targets for mental health interventions and research targeting young adults. Using self-compassion-based interventions can improve subjective wellbeing by supporting the development of adaptive coping mechanisms.