Latent profiles of compassion for self, other humans, and animals: A two time point study

Purpose Compassion for self and others is consistently linked to psychological well-being, yet little is known about how compassion for self, other humans, and animals organizes into distinct profiles or relates to psychological functioning over time. This study aimed to identify latent compassion profiles across these domains and examine their associations with symptoms, affect, emotion regulation, connectedness, well-being, and temporal stability. Methods Canadian adults completed measures of compassion for self, other humans, and animals, symptoms, affect, emotion regulation, connectedness, and well-being at baseline (T1; n = 1286). Latent profile analysis was conducted using T1 compassion measures. A subsample completed a three-month follow-up (T2; n = 213). Profiles were compared cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and within-profile correlations were examined. Results Six compassion profiles emerged: others-oriented, animals-oriented, behaviorally-oriented, human-oriented, integral-highly, and restricted compassionate. Profiles differed significantly across outcomes. Profiles marked by high compassion across domains showed the most adaptive psychological functioning. Compassion profiles were largely stable over time, with profile-specific patterns linking emotion regulation, symptoms, and affect. Conclusions Findings suggest that compassion for self, other humans, and animals is organized into distinct profiles with differential associations with psychological functioning. Profiles marked by imbalances across domains, particularly low self-compassion, were linked to poorer outcomes.