A recent study published in the journal Mindfulness suggests that the way people treat themselves during difficult times is linked to their views on social equality. The research provides evidence that empathy serves as a bridge connecting self-compassion to a reduced preference for dominance over other social groups. These findings open up the possibility that fostering a kinder relationship with oneself might eventually promote broader social harmony. Self-compassion involves treating oneself with kindness and understanding rather than harsh judgment. While previous studies show that self-compassion benefits individual mental health, its impact on wider societal attitudes has remained somewhat of a mystery. Scientists wanted to explore how an individual’s internal relationship with themselves might extend outward to shape their feelings about different social groups. Specifically, the researchers examined a concept known as social dominance orientation. This psychological term refers to a person’s preference for inequality among social groups, where some demographics naturally dominate others. The scientists proposed that high self-compassion might relate to higher empathy, which in turn might connect to lower levels of this dominance …