Self-Compassion and Compassion for Others: Asymmetry Patterns Matter for Life Satisfaction

Across two studies, we examined how life satisfaction was associated with varying levels of self-compassion and compassion for others. In Study 1 (N = 508), response surface analysis revealed a mismatch pattern: life satisfaction was higher when self-compassion exceeded compassion for others than when compassion for others exceeded self-compassion. In Study 2 (N = 428), two-wave longitudinal data and generalized additive models showed that high compassion for others was associated with reduced later life satisfaction when self-compassion was low, consistent with a mismatch cost in the low-self-compassion/high-compassion-for-others configuration. Together, these findings suggest that the direction of compassion imbalance matters and that low self-compassion may increase the likelihood that high compassion for others is linked to worse well-being outcomes. Strengthening self-compassion may help sustain the benefits of compassion for others.