Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic auto-immune disease that affects physical and
psychological wellbeing of patients, which in turn altering body image, increasing level of depression and self
compassion negatively correlated with these effects. Aim of the study: Assess the relation between self-compassion,
body image and depressive symptoms among patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Study design: This
study utilized a descriptive-correlational design. Study setting: The study was conducted at rheumatology
department of Benha university hospital, which is affiliated to the ministry of higher education in Benha City,
Qalyubia Governorate. Subjects: A convenience sample of 100 patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Tools
for data collection: A structured Interview Questionnaire to collect socio-demographic and clinical data of the
studied sample, Self-Compassion Scale, Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire.
Results: The findings revealed that more than half of the studied patients had a moderate level of self-compassion,
more than half had moderate level of body image disturbance, while half of them had moderately severe level of
depression. Conclusion: There was a highly statistically significant negative correlation between total self
compassion, total body image disturbance and total severity of depression, while there was a highly statistically
significant positive correlation between total body image disturbance and total depressive symptoms.
Recommendation: Psycho-educational intervention programs targeting beliefs, self-compassion and perception of
body image among patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus can reduce depressive symptoms.