THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF COMPASSION AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe purposes of the present study were: (1) To adapt an Arabic version of self-compassion scale and (2) to examine the relationship between self compassion and emotional intelligence for university students and (3) to explore the differences in self-compassion according to demographic variables. To check the first purpose, study one was run, data was collected from two samples; the first sample consisted of 272 undergraduate students (47% males and 53% females) from Assiut University in Egypt, their ages (M = 19.79 years and SD = 0.73), the second sample consisted of 373 undergraduate students (52% males and 48% females) from King Khalid University (KKU) in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, their ages (M = 19.96 years and SD = 0.70). To check the second purpose, study two was run, data was collected from 185 undergraduate students (52% males and 48% females) from KKU, their ages (M = 21.82 years and SD = 1.05). The present study used the Arabic version of self compassion scale and Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire to check the purposes. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and item-total correlations, used to check the psychometric properties of the Arabic version self-compassion scale, Person correlations used to examine the relationship between self compassion and emotional intelligence and ANOVA was run to explore the differences in self-compassion according to demographic variables. Results indicated that: (1) Arabic version self compassion scale has good psychometric properties, (2) significant positive correlation was found between self compassion and Emotional Intelligence, (3) Women reported significantly lower than men in mindfulness, over-identification, higher than men in overall self-compassion scores, self-judgment and isolation and no significant differences were found between males and females in Self-Kindness and Common Humanity. Also results showed that accommodation place or studying specialization had no significant affect in self compassion.Keywords: Self Compassion, Emotional Intelligence and University Students1. INTRODUCTIONSelf-compassion starts with assumption that all humans are valuable and worthy regardless of their physical characteristic or achievement (Orsillo and Roemer, 2011).Neff (2003b) explains self-compassion as composed of three main componts; self kindness (self-understanding rather than harsh judgment or self-criticism), a sense of common humanity (viewing oneself as a part of the larger human experiences rather than isolated) and mindfulness (accepting painful emotions and thought while not overidentifing with them) (Cormier et al., 2013).Breines and Chan (2012) found that Self-compasstion lead to better performance through its effect on self improvement motivation so it enhance motivation.Adams and Leary (2007) found that Self-compassion promote health- realtedbehavior. It enhance well-being for example it helps people feel a greater sense interpersonal connection (Gilbert and Irons, 2005). Researchers found that there were a good relationship between self- compassion and less anxiety and depression (Neff, 2009).Emotionl intelligence is an ability of the individual to be aware of personal emotions and to identify, assess and control the emotions of oneself, of others and of groups. It is also the skill of understanding what trigger or event is causing the emotion (Stanley and Konrath, 2012).Petrides and Furnham (2003) highlight four elements that are important to emotional intelligence; well-being, self-control, emotionality and sociability. First factor is well-being reflect a generalized sense of well-being ,extending from the past achievements toe future expectations. person feels positive, happy and fulfilled. Self control is a second factor whic means an individual has healthy degree of control over his urges and desires. He is good at regulating external pressures and stress. Third factor is emotionality individual with high scores on emotionality is touch with his own and other peoples feeling. …