Association between self-compassion and romantic relationship satisfaction among Lebanese university students: the mediating role of self-efficacy

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate the association between self-compassion and romantic relationship satisfaction with the mediating role of self-efficacy among Lebanese university students. The hypothesis predicts a positive correlation between the variables.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among Lebanese university students aged between 18 and 25 who are in a romantic relationship was conducted through an online-sent survey targeted to measure self-compassion, romantic relationship satisfaction, and self-efficacy as a mediating role with age and gender as moderators. N=97 participants who met the criteria were included in data analysis. The survey link was sent through communicative social platforms and the link led firstly to the consent form. Data was analyzed through the IBM SPSS Version 27 and its extension PROCESS macro by Andrew Hayes Version 2.4 for mediation and moderation.

Results: A moderate correlation was exhibited between self-compassion and romantic relationships, while self-efficacy displayed a significant correlation with both variables. Mediation effect was significant, while moderators age and gender were null to weakly correlated respectively.

Conclusion: Overall, this study highlights the mediating role of self-efficacy in assessing the relationship between self-compassion and romantic relationship satisfaction, and calls for further investigations in this subject, especially in the Middle East and Arab regions.