Self‐Compassion and Medical Coping Modes of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Mediating Role of Personal Mastery.

Aim: To test the mediating role of personal mastery in the relationship between self‐compassion and medical coping modes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Design: A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was administered. Methods: We enrolled a convenience sampling of patients with RA from a Class A tertiary hospital. Date were collected from May 2023 to April 2024. Using self‐compassion, medical coping modes, and personal mastery self‐reported questionnaires. The data were analysed using correlation analyses, multiple linear regression analysis and structural equation modelling. Results: A total of 245 participants were included in this study. Personal mastery was an independent predictor of medical coping modes (β = 0.15, SE = 0.07, 95% CI [0.01, 0.30]). Significant correlations were identified between self‐compassion, personal mastery, and medical coping strategies among these patients. Personal mastery was found to mediate the relationship between self‐compassion and confrontation (β = 0.724, 95%CI: 0.367–1.081, p < 0.05) and avoidance coping strategies (β = −0.179, 95%CI: −0.336 to −0.022, p < 0.05). Additionally, self‐compassion was directly linked to resignation coping (β = −0.309, 95%CI: −0.515 to −0.136, p < 0.05), with no mediation effect observed. Conclusion: Personal mastery mediates the impact of self‐compassion on the adoption of medical coping strategies among RA patients. Self‐compassion is shown to have a direct influence on personal mastery. It is imperative for healthcare providers to consider the self‐compassion and personal mastery of their patients, encouraging adaptive coping mechanisms to enhance life quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]