The moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between depressive symptoms and rumination in community-dwelling older adults.

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.