This study aims to examine the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between insomnia, depression and anxiety among university students and staff in Nigeria.
A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Participants comprised university students and staff recruited from a university community in Nigeria. Data were collected using standardised measures of insomnia, self-compassion, depression and anxiety. Mediation analyses were conducted to examine the indirect role of self-compassion in the relationship between insomnia and psychological distress outcomes.
The findings revealed that insomnia was significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Self-compassion fully mediated the relationship between insomnia and depression and partially mediated the relationship between insomnia and anxiety. The results suggest that self-compassion may serve as a protective psychological resource in reducing distress associated with insomnia.
The study used a cross-sectional design, so it cannot confirm cause-and-effect links between insomnia, depression, anxiety and self-compassion. The sample was drawn from a single Nigerian university community, which may limit how widely the results can be applied. Self-reported questionnaires also carry some risk of bias. Future research should use longitudinal or experimental designs and include broader populations to provide stronger evidence on how self-compassion interventions can help reduce mental health problems related to sleep difficulties.
The findings suggest that interventions that build self-compassion can reduce depression and anxiety in people with sleep difficulties. For universities and healthcare institutions, training programs that include mindfulness, self-kindness and emotional resilience could help students and staff manage stress better. Clinicians and counsellors can also include self-compassion strategies as part of therapy for clients struggling with insomnia and poor mental health. These approaches could improve wellbeing, strengthen coping and reduce burnout among young people and healthcare workers.
By showing how self-compassion protects against mental health difficulties, the study highlights its social value in communities facing high stress and limited access to mental health care. Promoting self-compassion could reduce stigma around mental illness by encouraging more understanding and self-acceptance. On a broader scale, universities and health organisations that adopt self-compassion programs can improve community wellbeing, reduce stress-related absenteeism and encourage healthier coping strategies. This could foster more resilient academic and healthcare environments.
This study contributes to the growing literature on sleep and mental health by highlighting the mediating role of self-compassion among university students and staff within a Nigerian context. The findings provide insight into the potential usefulness of self-compassion-focused interventions in university mental health support services.
