The mediating role of self -compassion in the relationship between gratitude with perceived stress and depression among mothers of children with developmental disabilities

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between gratitude with perceived stress and depression. The research method was a descriptive correlational study using path analysis. The statistical population of this research included all mothers of children with developmental disabilities in elementary special schools of Tabriz City during the second half of the academic year of 2020-2021. For this purpose, 283 mothers were selected using the available sampling method. Data were collected using Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6) (McCullough et al, 2002), self‐compassion scale (SCS-SF) (Raes et al.,2011), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) (Cohen et al,1983) and Depression Inventory Short Form Items (BDI-13) (Beck and Beck, 1972). The results indicated that gratitude has a significant negative relationship with stress and depression and a significant positive relationship with self–compassion (p<0.01). also, self–compassion has a significant negative relationship with stress and depression(p<0.01). Findings also showed that self-compassion mediated the relationship between gratitude with perceived stress and depression(p<0.01). The results showed that the research model provided the optimal fit to the data. Overall, the findings suggest that by focusing on strengthening gratitude and self–compassion, we can reduce depression and perceived stress of mothers of children with developmental disabilities.