The interplay between emotional well-being, self-compassion, and basic psychological needs in adolescents

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of people, especially adolescents. Although the negative impact of the pandemic has been described, studies on the role of protective factors in this population remain scarce. Using a mediation model approach, we examined the relationship between emotional well-being, self-compassion, and basic psychological needs in adolescents at school during the pandemic. Adolescents attending schools in northern Portugal (1092; 511 boys and 581 girls; aged 12 to 18 years) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Self-Compassion Scale – Youth Version, and the Adolescents' Basic Psychological Needs at School Scale. Boys reported higher positive affect, emotional well-being, and self-compassion than girls. A significant positive association between adolescents' self-compassion and satisfaction of basic psychological needs at school was mediated by emotional well-being. The findings highlight the protective role of emotional well-being, self-compassion, and basic psychological needs during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.