Abstract
Objectives: Self-compassion has emerged as a promising treatment target to promote healthy parent–child relationships, though mostly in maternal samples. The mechanisms through which self-compassion may optimise the father-child relationships are not yet well-established. This study integrated previous findings to test a conceptual model that hypothesised a sequential indirect effect of fathers’ self-compassion on father-child relationship quality via emotion regulation difficulties, loneliness, and psychological distress.
Method: The hypothesised model was tested in two different samples of fathers recruited using convenience sampling procedures. Sample 1 comprised an international sample of 320 fathers with children aged 3 to 18 years; Sample 2 comprised a more concentrated sample of 361 fathers residing in the USA and with children aged 5 to 12 years. All participants completed an online survey examining the psychosocial determinants of father-child closeness and conflict.
Results: Fathers’ self-compassion was indirectly associated with father-child closeness and conflict in both samples. In combination with emotion regulation difficulties, loneliness, and psychological distress, the variables explained more variance in conflict (up to 22%) compared to closeness (up to 13%). The model was largely invariant across both groups, though emotion regulation difficulties were notably higher for Sample 1.
Conclusions: The findings highlight a potential process model for self-compassion and the father-child relationship. Subject to further longitudinal or intervention studies, enhancing fathers’ self-compassion may help them to better regulate emotions, in turn reducing feelings of loneliness and psychological distress that could ultimately result in greater closeness and fewer conflicts in their relationships with their child.
DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02538-3