Structural Model of Compassionate Love for Humanity Based on Personality Traits: The Mediating Role of Differentiation of Self
Keywords:
Compassionate love for humanity, personality traits, differentiation of self, structural equation modeling, university studentsAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to develop and test a structural model of compassionate love for humanity based on personality traits, with the mediating role of differentiation of self among university students in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: This descriptive, cross-sectional correlational study was conducted using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all university students in Tehran in 2023, from whom 300 participants were selected through purposive sampling according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Differentiation of Self Inventory, and the Short Revised Compassionate Love Scale for Humanity. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. Pearson correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation were used to examine the hypothesized relationships.
Findings: The proposed model demonstrated satisfactory fit indices (χ²/df=1.76, RMSEA=0.05, CFI=0.98, NFI=0.96, GFI=0.95, and AGFI=0.92). Neuroticism (β=0.100, p=0.020), extraversion (β=0.200, p<0.001), and agreeableness (β=0.370, p<0.001) had significant positive direct effects on compassionate love for humanity, whereas the direct effects of openness to experience and conscientiousness were not significant. Differentiation of self had a significant positive direct effect on compassionate love for humanity (β=0.440, p<0.001). Significant indirect effects through differentiation of self were also observed for neuroticism (β=-0.090, p<0.001), extraversion (β=0.050, p=0.003), agreeableness (β=0.040, p=0.030), and conscientiousness (β=0.125, p<0.001), whereas the indirect effect of openness to experience was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that compassionate love for humanity is influenced by specific personality traits and that differentiation of self plays both a direct and a mediating role in explaining compassionate orientation. Strengthening differentiation of self, emotional regulation, and adaptive interpersonal functioning may therefore contribute to the enhancement of compassionate attitudes among university students.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Atousa Malekabadi (Author); Roshanak Khodabakhsh Pirkalani; Ghazal Zandkarimi (Author)
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