3 - (SYM 71) Subtypes of Self-compassion Their Associations with Eating Disorder Symptoms Among Iranian Adolescents

Findings across previous studies suggest that self-compassion is protective against eating disorder (ED) symptoms (e.g., dietary restraint, overvaluation of shape and/or weight, binge eating, weight concerns, and body dissatisfaction; Braun et al., 2016). However, these studies from Western societies cannot be generalized to Iranian culture, in which ED symptoms are common (e.g., binge eating [20-27%], purging [2-7%]). To our knowledge, only one study has tested associations between self-compassion and body image concerns in Iran (Bakhteh et al., 2023). Additionally, previous studies in Western and Iranian societies have not examined associations between self-compassion and multiple facets of ED symptoms, such as distinct body image concerns (e.g., muscularity) and ED cognitions (e.g., fear of weight gain). To address these gaps, the current study used a person-centered approach (i.e., latent profile analysis) to 1) identify distinct subgroups of Iranian adolescents (N = 913) based on patterns of responding across self-compassion facets (i.e., self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, and over-identification) and 2) test associations of these profiles with ED symptoms. Four classes were identified, including a moderate self-compassion class (49%), a low self-compassion class (14%), a mindful class (8%), and a high self-compassion class (29%). Individuals in the low self-compassion class showed elevated ED cognitions (i.e., fear of weight gain, feeling fat, desire to lose weight, and overvaluation of weight/shape) and increased ED symptoms (i.e., body dissatisfaction, binge eating, purging, restriction, excessive exercise, negative attitudes toward obesity, excessive exercise, muscle building). In contrast, adolescents in the mindful and self-compassionate classes reported relatively low scores across all ED symptoms and cognitions, with the exception of cognitive restraint. These results support the use of interventions aimed at improving mindfulness and self-compassion to address ED symptoms among adolescents in Iran.