THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SELF-COMPASSION AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP IN YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

This research aims to explore the relationship between self-compassion and help-seeking attitudes, as well as the disparity in gender for the two variables in young adults. The research design for the study was cross-sectional. The sampling strategy was convenience sampling. The research was conducted on 260 undergraduate young adults from Pakistan, with the age range of 18 to 25. The Self-compassion scale (SCS) and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help-Short Form were used for data collection. The statistical analysis used was Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Independent T-tests. There was not a significant association between self-compassion and help-seeking attitudes found, in Pakistani young adults. Furthermore, men were more likely to have increased positive attitudes toward professional psychological help as compared to women. However, no difference in the self- compassion levels between the two genders was examined. Conclusively, while the results were disparaging, the significance of self-compassion and help-seeking attitudes was discovered through this research, leading to a better understanding of the mentality of Pakistani young adults on the two variables. Further studies may be conducted to analyze the barriers to seeking psychological counseling and improving self-compassion in Pakistani young adults.