The Role of Self-compassion as a Mediator Between Insomnia, Depression, and Anxiety

Insomnia, depression, and anxiety are associated constructs with direct impact on health and quality of life. However, the specific mechanisms underlying these associations remain largely understudied. One of the possible intermediary variables underlying these associations might be self-compassion. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to specifically examine if self-compassion mediates the relationship between insomnia and depression (and vice versa) and insomnia and anxiety (and vice versa).

Data from 494 individuals were collected. The participants were recruited from the general population and filled out an online survey containing a set of self-reported measures of insomnia severity, depression, and anxiety.

The findings indicated that insomnia effect on depression operates through self-compassion (b = 0.08; 95% CI [0.01, 0.12]), whereas the effect of depression on insomnia through self-compassion was not supported. Regarding anxiety, it was observed that self-compassion has a mediating effect on the relationship between insomnia and anxiety (b = 0.06; 95% CI [0.03, 0.09]). Cross-sectional design of the study does not allow to infer causal relationships. Mediator variable did not support the indirect effect of anxiety on insomnia.

Self-compassion seems to be an important factor to be taken into account in preventive and intervention programs for insomnia.