Abstract
The present paper investigated relationship between self-compassion and positive psychological functioning, i.e., hope, gratitude and psychological well-being, in women with primary and secondary infertility. It was hypothesized that there is likely to be a relationship in self-compassion and positive psychological functioning in women with infertility; self-compassion, hope and gratitude are likely to predict psychological well-being of women with infertility; and there is likely to be difference in self-compassion and positive psychological functioning in women with primary and secondary infertility. A sample of 60 women with infertility (n=30 with primary infertility; n=30 with secondary infertility) was taken from Hameed Latif Hospital and Tariq Clinic, Lahore, Pakistan. For assessment Self-Compassion Scale by Neff (2003a), Hope Trait Scale by Snyder, Irving, and Anderson (1991), Gratitude Scale by McCullough, Emmons, and Tsang (2002) and Psychological Well Being Scale by Ryff (1989) were used. Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Hierarchical Regression and Independent Sample t test were applied. Results indicated a significant relationship of self-compassion with psychological well-being of women. Results showed that self-compassion (isolation and mindfulness) predicted psychological well-being (personal growth) after controlling the effects of demographic characteristics. Moreover, women with secondary infertility were more self–compassionate (over identification) and had better psychological well-being (environmental mastery) as compared to women with primary infertility. Findings have important implications for infertile women to enhance their psychological well-being by highlighting the importance of positive thinking.