Self-Compassion among Japanese Mothers Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Other Developmental Disabilities, and Typically Developing Children

Families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience greater parenting stress than those raising typically developing (TD) children or children with other developmental disabilities (OD). Recent studies suggest that self-compassion (SC) may serve as a protective psychological resource for parents of children with ASD. However, little is known about differences in SC among parents of children with ASD, OD, and TD, particularly within the Japanese context. This study examined group differences in SC and its six subscales among Japanese mothers. A total of 419 mothers (ASD = 159, OD = 88, TD = 172) completed an online survey between September 2023 and March 2024. Participants completed the Japanese version of the Self-Compassion Scale. One-way ANCOVAs controlling for SES were conducted to compare total SC and subscale scores across groups. Mothers of TD children reported significantly higher total SC scores compared to mothers of children with ASD and OD. Across subscales, TD mothers showed greater self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity, and lower self-criticism, isolation, and over-identification. No significant differences in SC were observed between mothers raising children with ASD and those raising children with OD. Family’s socioeconomic status (SES) was positively associated with total SC and several positive subscales. Consistent with previous findings, Japanese mothers raising children with ASD and OD reported lower SC than those raising TD children, potentially reflecting heightened caregiving burden, emotional exhaustion, and stigma. Importantly, the positive link between SES and SC highlights the role of socioeconomic resources in supporting parental well-being. These findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive interventions that foster SC and address stigma-related stress, particularly for lower-SES families. Future research should adopt longitudinal and intervention-based approaches to clarify the mechanisms by which SC influences parental well-being and to develop effective, contextually relevant programs.