The Role of Self-Compassion in Mediating the Relationship between Self-esteem and Loneliness in the Vietnamese LGBT+ Community

Abstract

The provision of mental health support for members of the LGBT+ community is an emerging concern in Vietnam, where discrimination and societal misunderstanding about diverse sexual orientations remain prevalent. This article explores the relationships between self-esteem, self-compassion, and loneliness among 263 LGBT+ individuals living in Vietnam. Results indicated that self-esteem was positively associated with self-compassion and negatively associated with loneliness. Furthermore, self-compassion significantly mediated the relationship between self-esteem and loneliness. These results suggest that self-compassion may serve as a protective psychological factor, helping to buffer the negative effects of low self-esteem on loneliness. The article highlights the need for mental health support that fosters self-compassion, particularly for marginalized groups. Importantly, the findings also point to broader implications for policy and healthcare: namely, promoting inclusive mental health services, integrating self-compassion practices into community-based programs, and advocating for anti-discrimination policies can play a critical role in supporting the psychological well-being of LGBT+ individuals in Vietnam.

Received: 25^th May, 2025; Revised: 10^th August, 2025; Accepted: 9^th September, 2026