Examining Self-Compassion's Mediating Effects Between Fear of Failure and Academic Self-Handicapping Among University Students

Authors

  • Nurfitriany Fakhri Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5323-8125
  • Khalida Muhajirah Universiatas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia
  • Lukman Lukman Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia
  • Sahril Buchori Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.7110682025

Keywords:

college students, fear of failure, self-compassion, self-handicapping

Abstract

Academic self-handicapping behaviors exhibit complex relationships with psychological constructs, particularly fear of failure and self-compassion. This investigation examined the differential effects of fear of failure (X₁) and self-compassion (X₂) on self-handicapping tendencies (Y) among university students. The study comprised 398 participants (n=398; 104 males, 294 females) enrolled across five state universities in Makassar, recruited through accidental sampling methodology. Assessment instruments included the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory Long-Form (modified), the Self-Handicapping Scale (modified), and the Indonesian adaptation of the Self-Compassion Scale. Utilizing ordinal regression analysis, the results revealed a significant positive association between fear of failure and self-handicapping (b = 0.058, p less than 0.001), while self-compassion demonstrated a significant negative relationship (b = -0.045, p less than 0.001). The combined predictive model accounted for 22.4% of the variance in self-handicapping behaviors (Nagelkerke R² = 0.224). These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of self-handicapping mechanisms and hold practical implications for developing targeted interventions within university student support services. The results may inform the design and implementation of evidence-based training programs addressing maladaptive academic behaviors among university students.

Author Biographies

Nurfitriany Fakhri, Universitas Negeri Makassar

Psychology Faculty

Khalida Muhajirah, Universiatas Negeri Makassar

Psychology Faculty

Lukman Lukman, Universitas Negeri Makassar

Psychology Faculty

Sahril Buchori, Universitas Negeri Makassar

Guidance and Counseling Department, Faculty of Education

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Published

2025-03-11

How to Cite

Fakhri, N., Muhajirah, K., Lukman, L., & Buchori, S. (2025). Examining Self-Compassion’s Mediating Effects Between Fear of Failure and Academic Self-Handicapping Among University Students. Journal of Psychological Perspective, 7(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.7110682025

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Empirical Research

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