The mediating effects of gratitude and self-compassion on college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract College students experienced academic hardships while completing online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, there is a need to investigate the generation status, computer-mediated communication competence (CMC), and active learning of college students. This study focused on exami...

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Main Authors: Leslie Ramos Salazar, Audrey Meador
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-07-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05314-9
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author Leslie Ramos Salazar
Audrey Meador
author_facet Leslie Ramos Salazar
Audrey Meador
author_sort Leslie Ramos Salazar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract College students experienced academic hardships while completing online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, there is a need to investigate the generation status, computer-mediated communication competence (CMC), and active learning of college students. This study focused on examining the generation differences of students in relation to their active learning, self-compassion, and gratitude. This study also examined gratitude and self-compassion as mediators of the relationship between CMC and active learning. A cross-sectional, convenience sample of 429 college students was obtained from a public institution. Findings demonstrated that first-generation students reported higher self-compassion and active learning than other generations students. Additionally, missing graded assignments had a significant effect on first-generation students’ CMC, and CMC positively predicted their active learning. Further, gratitude and self-compassion mediated the positive relationship between CMC and active learning. Recommendations and implications are also offered to stakeholders in higher education.
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spelling doaj-art-d67329fa5f82456fbf2982d214cc7ddf2025-08-20T03:37:23ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-07-0112111010.1057/s41599-025-05314-9The mediating effects of gratitude and self-compassion on college students during the COVID-19 pandemicLeslie Ramos Salazar0Audrey Meador1West Texas A&M UniversityWest Texas A&M UniversityAbstract College students experienced academic hardships while completing online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, there is a need to investigate the generation status, computer-mediated communication competence (CMC), and active learning of college students. This study focused on examining the generation differences of students in relation to their active learning, self-compassion, and gratitude. This study also examined gratitude and self-compassion as mediators of the relationship between CMC and active learning. A cross-sectional, convenience sample of 429 college students was obtained from a public institution. Findings demonstrated that first-generation students reported higher self-compassion and active learning than other generations students. Additionally, missing graded assignments had a significant effect on first-generation students’ CMC, and CMC positively predicted their active learning. Further, gratitude and self-compassion mediated the positive relationship between CMC and active learning. Recommendations and implications are also offered to stakeholders in higher education.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05314-9
spellingShingle Leslie Ramos Salazar
Audrey Meador
The mediating effects of gratitude and self-compassion on college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title The mediating effects of gratitude and self-compassion on college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_full The mediating effects of gratitude and self-compassion on college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_fullStr The mediating effects of gratitude and self-compassion on college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_full_unstemmed The mediating effects of gratitude and self-compassion on college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_short The mediating effects of gratitude and self-compassion on college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_sort mediating effects of gratitude and self compassion on college students during the covid 19 pandemic
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05314-9
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