The moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between depressive symptoms and rumination in community-dwelling older adults
Journal of Mental Health, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/09638237.2026.2732888
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Mental Health
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, MEDLINE, Public Affairs Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Community-dwelling, depression, older adults, ruminative thought style, self-compassion
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: There is a reciprocal cycle between rumination and depression. However, understanding of the role of self-compassion in the relationship between depressive symptoms and rumination remains limited. Aim: To examine the moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between depressive symptoms and rumination in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: The study was conducted using an analytical cross-sectional design. Data were collected face-to-face from 463 older adults aged 65 years and older between September and November 2024. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, Geriatric Depression-15 Scale, Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire, and the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form. Results: Analysis revealed that rumination and self-compassion together explained approximately 41.6% of the variance in depressive symptoms among older adults, that rumination positively predicted depressive symptoms, and that self-compassion negatively predicted depressive symptoms. The interaction effect of ruminative thought style and self-compassion on depressive symptoms was found to be negative and significant. Conclusions: This study showed that when self-compassion was high in older adults, the increasing effect of ruminative thought style on depressive symptoms was weakened. The findings suggest that self-compassion-based interventions implemented by mental healthcare professionals may be beneficial for improving the mental health of older adults who experience depressive symptoms.