Aim: To test the mediating role of personal mastery in the relationship between self-compassion and medical coping modes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered.
Methods: We enrolled a convenience sampling of patients with RA from a Class A tertiary hospital. Date were collected from May 2023 to April 2024. Using self-compassion, medical coping modes, and personal mastery self-reported questionnaires. The data were analysed using correlation analyses, multiple linear regression analysis and structural equation modelling.
Results: A total of 245 participants were included in this study. Personal mastery was an independent predictor of medical coping modes (β = 0.15, SE = 0.07, 95% CI [0.01, 0.30]). Significant correlations were identified between self-compassion, personal mastery, and medical coping strategies among these patients. Personal mastery was found to mediate the relationship between self-compassion and confrontation (β = 0.724, 95%CI: 0.367-1.081, p < 0.05) and avoidance coping strategies (β = -0.179, 95%CI: -0.336 to -0.022, p < 0.05). Additionally, self-compassion was directly linked to resignation coping (β = -0.309, 95%CI: -0.515 to -0.136, p < 0.05), with no mediation effect observed.
Conclusion: Personal mastery mediates the impact of self-compassion on the adoption of medical coping strategies among RA patients. Self-compassion is shown to have a direct influence on personal mastery. It is imperative for healthcare providers to consider the self-compassion and personal mastery of their patients, encouraging adaptive coping mechanisms to enhance life quality.