This handbook examines contemporary issues in self-compassion science and practice. It describes advances in the conceptualization and measurement of self-compassion as well as current evidence from cross-sectional and experimental research. The volume addresses the foundational issues of self-compassion, including its relationship to self-esteem and mindfulness. In addition, it considers the developmental origins of self-compassion and its relevance across the life course, including among adolescents and older adults. The handbook explores the role of self-compassion in promoting well-being and resilience and addresses new frontiers in self-compassion research, such as the neural underpinnings and psychophysiology of compassionate self-regulationKey areas of coverage include:- The meaning of self-compassion for gender and sexuality minority groups.- The cultivation of self-compassion among young people.- The use of interventions to promote self-compassion.- The role of compassion-based interventions in clinical contexts.- Important insights for using self-compassion-based interventions in practice.TheHandbook of Self Compassionis a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other practitioners in psychology, complementary and alternative medicine, and social work as well as all interrelated research disciplines and clinical practices.