The role of Self-Compassion on Pain, Stigma and Psychological Well-Being among Sickle Cell Patients in Accra.

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder caused by a genetic mutation. It is a major public health concern in Africa with over 200,000 newborns each year. It has been shown to affect about 80% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa and affects 15,000 newborn babies. This study explored the role of self-compassion on pain, stigma and psychological well-being among people living with sickle cell disease. One hundred and thirty-eight (46 males, 92 females; M = 30.99) people living with sickle cell disease were sampled from two advocacy non-governmental organizations in Accra, to determine the relationship between self-compassion, psychological well-being, pain and stigma and the moderating role of self-compassion on the relationship between pain, stigma and psychological well-being and lastly the predictive factor of some demographics on pain. A multiple regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between self-compassion and psychological well-being. Self-compassion had a significantly negative relationship with stigma and pain. Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis showed that age, educational level and gender did not uniquely predict pain in sickle cell disease. A moderation analysis revealed that self-compassion did not moderate the relationship between pain and psychological well-being, as well as stigma and psychological well-being. This suggests that self-compassion may not buffer the pains and stigma in sickle cell disease but may help with the negative implications or stressors associated with the pains and stigma associated with the disease. These findings have important implications for clinicians and the management of sickle cell disease.