The predominant effect of a mindfulness intervention on contingent over explicit self-esteem and the key role of self-compassion

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ABSTRACT While psychological interventions typically focus on enhancing overall self-esteem, less attention has been paid to contingent self-esteem – where self-worth depends on external validation. This study examines how Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) differentially affects both types of self-esteem, while investigating the mediating roles of mindfulness and self-compassion. Using a single-group pretest-posttest design with 206 participants, these variables were assessed before and after an eight-week MBSR training. Results revealed that MBSR produced a greater reduction in contingent self-esteem than increase in overall self-esteem, suggesting the intervention’s particular suitability for addressing validation-dependent self-worth. Both mindfulness and self-compassion mediated these effects, with self-compassion showing stronger influence on contingent self-esteem reduction. These findings suggest that MBSR, particularly through its self-compassion component, may offer an effective approach for developing more stable self-worth – especially relevant in today’s digital environment where validation-seeking through social media can significantly impact psychological well-being.