Exploring self-compassion in adults with disabilities: the roles of gender, disability history, and leisure-time physical activity

Many adults with disabilities struggle with self-criticism and emotional distress, but engaging in regular leisure-time physical activity appears to support greater self-compassion. This suggests that making sports and recreation more accessible could help promote emotional resilience in this population. Additionally, the differences observed based on disability history highlight the need for personalized mental health support, as individuals born with a disability may experience self-compassion differently from those who acquired a disability later in life. Future research should further explore these patterns to help improve well-being and psychological support systems for adults with disabilities.