The Effect and Mechanism of Self-Compassion on Reducing Materialism: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Self-Compassion Intervention

Materialism reflects the prioritisation of material wealth as a life pursuit, which is a negative mentality, but interventions aimed at reducing this negative mentality from the perspective of intrapersonal resources are rare. When inner resources are lacking, individuals tend to seek the extrinsic materials. This study developed a new 14-day online self-help intervention called Positive Self, which involves psychoeducation focusing on self-compassion and meditation, including breathing meditations and loving-kindness meditations. A randomised control trial was conducted to test its effects on materialism and to explore the mediating role of self-compassion, basic psychological needs, and self-esteem (n = 154 for intervention group; n = 155 for waitlist group). The results indicated that the Positive Self group significantly improved self-compassion, self-esteem, and basic psychological needs, and showed reduced materialism compared with the waiting group. The three mediating effect pathways from self-compassion to materialism were supported: basic psychological needs, self-esteem, and the pathway from basic psychological needs to self-esteem. This study highlights the role of intrapersonal resources, particularly self-compassion, in reducing materialism and underscores the significance of inner sources such as self-esteem and basic psychological needs. Additionally, it supports the efficacy of a brief online self-compassion intervention.

Trial Registration: NCT06322069. Date of registration: March 12, 2024