#48: Is self-compassion more important than self-esteem?

with Karen Bluth, PhD

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In this episode we discuss…

  • what brought karen to her work studying self-compassion

  • the need for support and resources during difficult teen years

  • Kristin neff’s definition of self-compassion encompassing mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness

  • being aware of what you’re feeling in the moment that it’s happening

  • understanding that what you’re experiencing is part of the human condition

  • treating yourself like a good friend would, rather than criticizing or judging yourself

  • the differences between self-compassion and self-esteem

  • downsides to relying on self-esteem when you’re feeling low

  • research findings on the connection between self-compassion and anxiety, depression, stress, connection with others, satisfaction, and resilience

  • the relationship between perfectionism, depression, and self-compassion

  • why self-compassion is particularly beneficial for teens

  • how to help young people cultivate self-compassion

  • misconceptions about self-compassion - and what the research says about each

  • self-compassion as caring for yourself the way a good parent would

  • why embracing self-compassion isn’t necessarily hard work

  • karen’s answer to the million dollar question

This week we’re talking with researcher and educator Dr. Karen Bluth about all things self-compassion: what it really means, and why it can benefit every member of the family. Dr. Bluth talks us through the research, challenges misconceptions, and argues that self-compassion is actually more valuable for our kids than self-esteem. We also learn how to help our kids cultivate their self-compassion, and get some good news — that it’s easier to embrace than you may think!

Get our guide to body-positive parenting.

 

Karen Bluth, PhD is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Fellow at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, and a certified instructor of Mindful Self-Compassion, an internationally acclaimed 8-week course created by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer. Dr. Bluth’s research focuses on the roles that self-compassion and mindfulness play in promoting well-being in youth. As such, she is co-creator of the curriculum Making Friends with Yourself: A Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Teens, the teen adaptation of Mindful Self-Compassion for adults, and author of the book The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness and Compassion Skills to Overcome Self-Criticism and Embrace Who You Are (New Harbinger Publishers). Additionally, Dr. Bluth is Associate Editor of the academic journal Mindfulness, and founder of The Frank Porter Graham Program on Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Families. As a mindfulness practitioner for over 40 years, a mindfulness teacher, and an educator with 18 years of classroom teaching experience, Dr. Bluth frequently gives talks, conducts workshops, and teaches classes in self-compassion and mindfulness in educational and community settings. In addition, she trains teachers in Making Friends with Yourself internationally.

Connect with Karen on her website.

Resources mentioned:

Jordan Best