Exploring the Role of Self-Compassion: A Mediating Pathway Between Social Support and Post-Traumatic Growth in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is an extremely prevalent endocrine disorder, affecting up to 25% of women. Beyond hormonal imbalances, irregular menstruation, and potential ovarian cysts, PCOS raises the risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and body dissatisfaction. Consequently, these symptoms often lead to feelings of isolation, embarrassment, and failure; hindering social support and ability to cope with the illness. This study, part of the ongoing research conducted by the Health Experiences and Longevity Lab (HEAL) at the University of Windsor, aims to explore the impact of social support and self-compassion on post-traumatic growth (PTG) in women with PCOS. The hypotheses suggests that social support will enhance self-compassion, subsequently predicting higher levels of PTG, specific to PCOS diagnosis. Participants (N = 91) for this study provided insights through questionnaires covering demographics, PCOS-related impacts, self-compassion, perceived social support, and PTG. Utilizing Hayes PROCESS MACRO model 4 in SPSS, the study aims to examine the mediation model and explore indirect effects through bootstrapped standard errors. The findings seek to contribute to understanding the role of support and self-compassion in fostering resilience and growth among women with PCOS.