Relationship Between Mindfulness and Emotion Dysregulation Among College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion

Abstract

Emotion dysregulation in adolescence is linked to impaired functioning and later psychopathology, so protective psychological resources deserve attention. This study tested whether self-compassion mediates the relationship between mindfulness and emotion dysregulation among college students. A cross-sectional correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 300 students (141 males, 157 females) aged 14 to 18 years from colleges in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Participants completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale–Adolescent, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale–Short Form. Spearman correlations showed that mindfulness was positively related to self-compassion (rs = .254) and negatively related to emotion dysregulation (rs = −.289), and that self-compassion was negatively related to emotion dysregulation (rs = −.162). In the mediation model, mindfulness predicted self-compassion (β = .254, p < .001), but self-compassion did not significantly predict emotion dysregulation once mindfulness was controlled (β = −.095, p = .099). The indirect effect was small and non-significant (ab = −.024, 95% CI [−.058, .004]), whereas the direct effect of mindfulness remained significant (β = −.265, p < .001). Males scored higher than females on mindfulness and self-compassion and lower on emotion dysregulation; no age differences emerged. In this sample, mindfulness was related to fewer emotion regulation difficulties largely independently of self-compassion. Implications for gender-sensitive, skills-based programs in educational settings are discussed.