Iranian Journal of Medical Education

Introduction:  Self-compassion, as one of the fundamental concepts of Buddha, is affected by psychological factors. Among the effective psychological factors of self-compassion, meaning of life and coping strategies have prominent status. This study endeavored to predict self-compassion based on the concept of life with the moderator role of coping strategies for stress.
Methods: In this study with a correlation regression analysis, 393 students (144 males and 249 females) of Kerman University of Medical Sciences were selected using random multi-stage cluster sampling and responded to the scales of concept of life, coping strategies for stress and self-compassion. Then, the data analysis was done by multiple regressions according to Baron and Kenny stages.
Results: The result revealed that the concept of life is a positive and meaningful predictor of self- compassion. Likewise, it could predict problem-oriented strategy in a positive and meaningful way and emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented strategies in a negative and meaningful manner. Among the coping strategies, only the problem-oriented strategy has positively predicted the self-compassion. Finally, the results revealed that problem-oriented coping strategy played a mediating role in the relationship between the meaning of life and self-compassion.
Conclusion: Meaning of life with increased problem-oriented strategy provides self-compassion for students and their exposure to academic stressors.