Is Self-compassion Associated with Sleep Quality? A Meta-analysis

Prior research has found that self-compassion is associated with a range of health and well-being outcomes, but the specific association between self-compassion and sleep quality remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to respond to this issue through conducting a meta-analysis to quantify the relationship between self-compassion and sleep quality.

Systematic literature searches were conducted using the PsychInfo, Embase and Medline electronic databases to identify studies reporting on the relationship between self-compassion and sleep quality. Random effects meta-analysis was used to synthesise results.

Seventeen independent studies from 15 publications met criteria for inclusion in this review. All studies included self-reported sleep quality measures. No study reported objective measurements of sleep quality. Meta-analysis revealed evidence of a significant association whereby those with higher self-compassion reported fewer sleep problems r = − 0.32, 95%CI [− .36, − .28]. In a subgroup (n = 6) of studies that delineated the positively and negatively worded items of the self-compassion scale (termed positive self-compassion and self-coldness, respectively), self-coldness was more strongly associated with poor sleep quality r = 0.36, 95%CI [.18, .52] than positive self-compassion r = − 0.15, 95%CI [− .24, − .05].

Our meta-analysis found that self-compassion is associated with self-reported sleep quality. Future research is needed to investigate directions of causality and to consider if self-compassion-based interventions might be effective in improving sleep quality.