Variables Associated with Self-Compassion among Nurses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This study aimed to identify variables associated with nurses’ self-compassion and assess their effect sizes through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.Methods: Domestic and foreign literature were searched using the Prisma flow diagram; 17 papers were systematically reviewed, and 12 papers underwent meta-analysis.Results: A total of 29 variables related to nurses’ self-compassion were extracted from the analyzed papers. Furthermore, 12 sub-variables of individual characteristics and 17 sub-variables of job and organizational characteristics were identified. The effect sizes were divided into positive and negative variables to estimate the strength of the relationship between variables related to nurses’ self-compassion. All positive variables showed a small effect size (effect size (ES)= .25). Among the positive variables, quality of life (ES=.45), which had a medium effect size, was most related to self-compassion. Conversely, all negative variables showed a medium effect size (ES=−.35). The negative variable most related to self-compassion was burnout (ES=−.48).Conclusions: The results suggest that promoting self-compassion is essential as it relates to nurses’ work, mental health, and quality of life. Further studies are needed to verify the mediating effects of self-compassion between stressful events and mental health among nurses. Additionally, it is necessary to develop and apply an intervention related to nurses’ self-compassion that increases the effect of positive variables and decreases the impact of negative variables.