Be kinder to yourself: Awe promotes self-compassion via self-transcendence.

Awe can quickly boost self-compassion, even during difficult times. Across five studies, including three preregistered ones, awe was linked to higher self-compassion, whether measured by self-report or real-life behavior. This effect was not simply due to general positive feelings or being in nature. Self-transcendence—a sense of being part of something larger—explained why awe helped. The findings suggest that awe promotes self-compassion by expanding one's perspective beyond the self.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Deficits in self-compassion heighten the vulnerability of mental disorders and jeopardize well-being, emphasizing the necessity of fostering self-compassion during unexpected suffering. In this research, we investigate awe as an antecedent for promptly promoting self-compassion. Across five studies (three preregistered), employing various self-compassion metrics (self-report scale and behaviors) and testing in both controlled and natural settings, we found that awe was positively associated with, or promoted, self-reported self-compassion (Studies 1, 2, 4, and 5) and self-compassionate behaviors in real life (Study 5). These effects were distinct from general positive emotions (Studies 1 and 4) or nature exposure (Study 4). We further found that self-transcendence mediated this effect (Studies 2, 4, and 5) beyond self-diminishment (Study 4) and had a causal effect on promoting self-compassion (Study 3). These findings imply that awe enhances self-compassion via self-transcendence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).