The Predictive and Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Objective This study investigates the role of self-compassion in individuals with substance use disorders, focusing on its associations with emotion regulation difficulties, depression, anxiety, stress, and thought suppression. Method The study included 150 participants, aged 30 to 71 years, of Greek ethnicity, enrolled in a rehabilitation program at the Organization Against Drugs (OKANA). Participants completed four self-report measures: the Self-Compassion Scale, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and the White Bear Suppression Inventory. Data were collected between October 2023 and January 2024. Results Self-compassion was negatively correlated with difficulties in emotion regulation (r = −.552, p < .05), as well as with depression, anxiety, and stress (r = −.530, p < .05), and thought suppression (r = −.428, p < .05). Stepwise regression analysis indicated that self-compassion significantly predicted lower levels of psychological distress (β = −.230, p < .001) and mediated the relationship between difficulties in emotion regulation and psychological distress. The final model accounted for 45.2% of the variance in depression, anxiety, and stress (95% CI [0.35, 0.55]). Bootstrap analysis (1,000 samples) confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusions These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of self-compassion interventions in addiction recovery. By promoting adaptive emotional regulation, reducing thought suppression, and alleviating psychological distress, self-compassion acts as a protective factor in managing challenges associated with substance use disorders. Incorporating self-compassion-focused interventions into rehabilitation programs may enhance emotional resilience and promote recovery outcomes across diverse populations.