Background: Adolescence can be an emotionally challenging time for many individuals, characterised by multiple transitions and increased distress (Bluth et al., 2016). For gender diverse individuals, this period is potentially even more meaningful as exploring, understanding, and expressing their gender identity can lead to a range of liberating opportunities as well as challenges. The way in which individuals cope with their experiences can inform whether this transformative period is met with greater ease or distress (Bluth, 2018). When facing adversity, some individuals respond to themselves in a kind and self-compassionate way and feel better able to tolerate uncertainty, whereas others may be more critical of themselves, heightening any underlying feelings of distress (Terry & Leary, 2011). It was hypothesised that there would be a significant indirect effect of self-compassion on psychological distress through tolerance of uncertainty (mediation) in gender diverse youth.
Method: A cross-sectional online survey was used to test the indirect effects model. A total of 78 gender diverse young people were recruited from NHS and community organisations and provided demographic and gender-related information. Self-compassion was assessed using the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS); tolerance of uncertainty was assessed using the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale for Children (IUSC-12), and psychological distress was assessed using the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS).
Results: High levels of psychological distress were reported by 58.3% of respondents, were raised in 11.5%, and within normal range for 34% of respondents. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that the statistical predictive power of the model including self-compassion and tolerance of uncertainty accounted for 46% of the variance (adjusted R2 = .462). An indirect effects model was calculated using bootstrapping and found that self-compassion predicted reduced psychological distress through increased tolerance of uncertainty in gender diverse youth, supporting the hypothesis. The completely standardised indirect effect was significant as the 95% confidence intervals did not pass zero (b = -0.21; 95% CI: -0.36; -0.07).
Discussion: Findings have supported the understanding of the protective function of trait self-compassion for gender diverse youth. This suggests that cultivating self-compassion in this population could enhance their capacity to tolerate uncertainty in the face of adversity and reduce experiences of distress and improve well-being. However, further clarification of the utility of self-compassion and tolerance of uncertainty is warranted using prospective designs.
