The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns

Abstract Self-compassion has gained attention as an important factor for mental health. However, research on self-compassion in older adults is limited. This study aims to reveal the interactions among six self-compassion components in older adults and examine how productive engagement influences th...

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Main Authors: Huinan Hu, Grand H.-L. Cheng, Stephen Cheong Yu Chan, Eddie S. K. Chong, Peiyi Lu, H. N. Cheung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08157-1
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author Huinan Hu
Grand H.-L. Cheng
Stephen Cheong Yu Chan
Eddie S. K. Chong
Peiyi Lu
H. N. Cheung
author_facet Huinan Hu
Grand H.-L. Cheng
Stephen Cheong Yu Chan
Eddie S. K. Chong
Peiyi Lu
H. N. Cheung
author_sort Huinan Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Self-compassion has gained attention as an important factor for mental health. However, research on self-compassion in older adults is limited. This study aims to reveal the interactions among six self-compassion components in older adults and examine how productive engagement influences these components. A total of 807 older adults aged 55 and older in Hong Kong (67% females) participated in the study. They reported their self-compassion and productive engagement through questionnaires. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify different patterns of productive engagement. The EBICglasso method estimated the self-compassion network for the overall sample and for different productive engagement patterns. The LCA results identified a group with low productive engagement (low productive engagement group) and three groups with engagement in certain productive activities (productive engagement group). The network analysis found that isolation was the central component in the overall sample and in the low productive engagement group. Mindfulness was the central component in the productive engagement group. A dual effect of productive engagement group reported that while it may enhance mindfulness, it might also contribute to the feeling of isolation. Further research is needed to explore these relationships in diverse sociocultural settings.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-1ccab760153c4fbe9c5eac185e59ee5c2025-08-20T03:45:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-08157-1The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patternsHuinan Hu0Grand H.-L. Cheng1Stephen Cheong Yu Chan2Eddie S. K. Chong3Peiyi Lu4H. N. Cheung5Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong KongSchool of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan UniversityFelizberta Lo Padilla Tong School of Social Sciences, Saint Francis UniversityDepartment of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong KongAbstract Self-compassion has gained attention as an important factor for mental health. However, research on self-compassion in older adults is limited. This study aims to reveal the interactions among six self-compassion components in older adults and examine how productive engagement influences these components. A total of 807 older adults aged 55 and older in Hong Kong (67% females) participated in the study. They reported their self-compassion and productive engagement through questionnaires. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify different patterns of productive engagement. The EBICglasso method estimated the self-compassion network for the overall sample and for different productive engagement patterns. The LCA results identified a group with low productive engagement (low productive engagement group) and three groups with engagement in certain productive activities (productive engagement group). The network analysis found that isolation was the central component in the overall sample and in the low productive engagement group. Mindfulness was the central component in the productive engagement group. A dual effect of productive engagement group reported that while it may enhance mindfulness, it might also contribute to the feeling of isolation. Further research is needed to explore these relationships in diverse sociocultural settings.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08157-1Self-compassionProductive engagementOlder adultsNetwork analysis
spellingShingle Huinan Hu
Grand H.-L. Cheng
Stephen Cheong Yu Chan
Eddie S. K. Chong
Peiyi Lu
H. N. Cheung
The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns
Scientific Reports
Self-compassion
Productive engagement
Older adults
Network analysis
title The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns
title_full The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns
title_fullStr The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns
title_full_unstemmed The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns
title_short The network structure of self-compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns
title_sort network structure of self compassion in older adults with different productive engagement patterns
topic Self-compassion
Productive engagement
Older adults
Network analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08157-1
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