Self compassion as a Protective Mediator Between Childhood Adversity and Stress in Combat Athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/subbeag.71(1).02Keywords:
Sprint performance, mixed training, explosive strength, agility, university athletesAbstract
Introduction: Athletes who participate in combat sports commonly experience intense physical and interpersonal stressors. Assessing and regulating stress are essential for performance and well-being in these environments. Although both ACE and self-compassion are independently associated with athletes’ psychological functioning, few empirical studies have examined how these factors jointly influence perceived stress in combat sports athletes. Objective: This study examined the relationships among adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), self‑compassion, and perceived stress in combat sport athletes, and tested whether self‑compassion mediates the ACE - stress association. Method: In a correlational design, combat athletes (N = 141) completed validated measures of ACEs, self‑compassion, and perceived stress. Internal consistency was assessed, correlations were computed, and a multiple regression predicted perceived stress from ACEs and self‑compassion. A nonparametric bootstrap mediation (B = 5,000) evaluated the indirect effect ACE → self‑compassion → stress. Results: Regression showed ACEs (b = 0.50, p = .030) positively and self‑compassion (b = −0.44, p < .001) negatively predicted stress (R² = .303). Mediation indicated a significant indirect effect (a × b = 0.34, 95% CI [0.10, 0.64]), consistent with partial mediation. Conclusion: Self‑compassion was an important predictor and a significant mediator, suggesting self-compassion‑based interventions may mitigate stress in combat athletes with ACE histories. Findings align with prior evidence that ACEs elevate stress vulnerability while self‑compassion supports adaptive regulation in sport contexts.
Article history: Received 2026 January 28; Revised 2026 February 27; Accepted 2026 March 03; Available online 2026 March 30.; Available print 2026 April 30.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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