The role of self-compassion in teachers' well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Studies revealed that teachers frequently experience stress and a decline in job satisfaction. This meta-analysis examined the association between teacher well-being measures and self-compassion, as well as the impact of mindfulness interventions on these traits. The study synthesises data from 19 studies, encompassing a total of 4420 teachers. It reveals a significant positive correlation between teacher well-being and self-compassion. Specifically, self-compassion inversely correlates with stress levels (r = −0.49) and positively correlates with job satisfaction (r = 0.32). Furthermore, mindfulness interventions have been shown to substantially enhance both self-compassion (Cohen's d = 0.77) and mindfulness (Cohen's d = 0.78) among teachers. These findings suggest that mindfulness interventions can effectively increase self-compassion, thereby improving teacher well-being. The positive association between self-compassion and teacher well-being underscores the potential benefits of targeted interventions to enhance these traits. However, further high-quality research is necessary to optimise interventions aimed at augmenting teacher self-compassion. This is crucial for fostering greater teacher well-being and effectiveness in educational settings. Copyright © 2025 International Union of Psychological Science.