ERIC Number: EJ1106472
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Aug
Pages: 34
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-4316
EISSN: N/A
The Structure and Development of Dispositional Compassion in Early Adolescence
Bengtsson, Hans; Söderström, Micael; Terjestam, Yvonne
Journal of Early Adolescence, v36 n6 p840-873 Aug 2016
Compassion may be directed at a broad range of targets. The present study investigated interrelations among other-directed compassion, self-compassion, and environmental compassion in early adolescence (age = 12-14; n = 256) and examined how the different manifestations of compassion related to age and sex during this age period. Dispositional compassion directed at different targets was assessed through self-reports and peer nominations. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis supported a model that portrayed dispositional compassion toward self, others, and the environment as three distinct but interrelated factors. Other-directed compassion and environmental compassion were higher in girls than in boys. There was a decrease in all forms of compassion with age. The drop in self-compassion was linked to negative self-perceptions in 13- and 14-year-old girls. The roles of experience and cognitive factors in linking different forms of dispositional compassion are discussed.
Descriptors: Altruism, Empathy, Personality Traits, Early Adolescents, Structural Equation Models, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Self Concept, Adolescent Development, Personality Development, Ecology, Secondary School Students, Foreign Countries, Attitude Measures, Likert Scales, Multivariate Analysis, Correlation, Maximum Likelihood Statistics, Public Schools, Private Schools
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sweden
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A