The relationship among quiet ego, authenticity, self-compassion and life satisfaction in adults

Life satisfaction and its role in promoting well-being is an important aspect in positive psychology. Dimensions of the self have been found to be related to a satisfying life, so examining self-related domains may be particularly important for understanding life satisfaction outcomes. This study examined the relationship among quiet ego, authenticity, self-compassion, and life satisfaction. The Quiet Ego Scale, the Authenticity Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale- Short Form, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were administered to 203 adults. The sample had good diversity in terms of age, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and occupation. Findings showed that all three dimensions of self-concept, namely, quiet ego, authenticity, and self-compassion, were positively correlated with each other. Findings further showed that quiet ego, authenticity, and self-compassion were positively correlated with life satisfaction. Based on hierarchical regression analyses, quiet ego and authenticity were predictors of life satisfaction but lost their predictive variance in the presence of self-compassion. When sociodemographic factors were controlled, regression analyses showed that marital status had a significant, strong influence on life satisfaction ratings. Interventions that cultivate self-compassion could teach people to become kinder when responding to stressful situations, which improves functioning and promotes life satisfaction. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.