The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between eating disorders and self-harming behaviors in female students

Today, eating disorders are one of the most notable mental disorders and its prevalence has increased in recent decades. These disorders cause problems with physical health and mental function. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between eating disorders and self-harming behaviors in female students. The method of this research was descriptive-correlation based on the method of modeling regression structural equations. The statistical population was 250 female students studying in Gorgan universities in 1300-1400. They were selected by available sampling method and answered the questionnaires of self-compassion (2003), self-harm Sanson (1998) and Garner eating feedback questionnaire (1979). Structural equation method was used to analyze the data. Also, all analyzes were performed using SPSS software version 24 and Liserl_8.80. Findings showed that self-harming behaviors and eating disorders negatively and significantly predict their compassion (p<0.001). Self-compassion also mediated the relationship between eating disorders and self-harming behaviors (p<0.001). Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that the present research model had statistically acceptable fit indices.