Examination of mediator effect of self compassion in the relationship between life satisfaction and psychological resilience in college students

In this research, it was aimed to examine the mediator effect of self-compassion in relationship between life satisfaction and psychological resilience in college students. The sample of study consists of 405 (308 female, 97 male) students with ages ranged between 18 and 40 years who study various branches of education faculty in Cukurova University. As data collection tool, Life Satisfaction Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen & Griffin, 1985), The Brief Resilience Scale (Smith, vd., 2008), Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003b) and Personal Information Form prepared by researcher were used. Data were analyzed by independent samples t-test, confirmatory factor analysis, one-way analysis of variance, pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and stuructural equation modeling using AMOS and SPSS 22.0. The findings from the research showed that there is a positive relationship between life satisfaction and psychological resilience, life satisfaction and self compassion, self compassion and psychological resilience. Besides, it was found out that self compassion has a partial mediator effect between life satisfaction and psychological resilience. Other findings of research indicate that for each of life satisfaction, psychological resilience and self compassion don't differ by gender and age. Key Words: Life satisfaction, psychological resilience, self-compassion.