Young carers (YCs) are children and youth who provide caregiving for family members who may experience an illness, disability, addiction, language barriers, and/or age-related needs. Many of them show compassion towards others and continue to put their family members’ needs before their own. They also report having no time for other activities or for themselves due to the caregiving role. Self-compassion might allow YCs to be kind to themselves, be mindful of their emotions, and understand that others, like them, go through similar experiences. While the relationship between outward and inward compassion has been examined in past research, studies have yet to determine YCs’ self-compassion level in the context of providing care for others. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of what compassion and self-compassion meant for YCs and whether they saw themselves as self-carers in addition to being caregivers. Six focus groups with YCs ages 12 to 18 years (n = 33) were conducted. Eight boys and 26 girls were divided into younger and older focus groups. A constant comparison analysis yielded three major themes: characteristics of compassion, self-compassion in YCs, and supports for self-compassion. Overall, YCs showed continual compassion for their loved ones, but despite understanding the value of self-care and self-compassion in one’s lives, very few YCs displayed self-compassion. Some reported conflicts and tensions within them and between them and their family member(s). The role of parents and YC programs were addressed as a possibility for supporting self-compassion.

年轻的照顾者 (YC) 是为可能经历疾病、残疾、成瘾、语言障碍和/或与年龄相关的需求的家庭成员提供照顾的儿童和青少年。他们中的许多人表现出对他人的同情心，并继续将家人的需求置于自己之前。他们还报告说由于照顾角色而没有时间进行其他活动或自己。自我同情可能会让 YC 善待自己，注意自己的情绪，并了解其他人，像他们一样，也有类似的经历。虽然在过去的研究中已经检查了外在和内在同情心之间的关系，但研究尚未确定 YC 在为他人提供照顾的情况下的自我同情水平。这项定性研究的目的是更好地了解同情和自我同情对 YC 意味着什么，以及他们是否将自己视为除了照顾者之外的自我照顾者。六个 YC 的焦点小组，年龄在 12 至 18 岁之间（n  = 33) 进行。8 名男孩和 26 名女孩被分成年轻和年长的焦点小组。不断的比较分析得出了三个主要主题：同情心的特征、YC 的自我同情和对自我同情的支持。总体而言，YC 对亲人表现出持续的同情心，但尽管了解自我照顾和自我同情在生活中的价值，但很少有 YC 表现出自我同情。一些人报告了他们内部以及他们与家人之间的冲突和紧张局势。父母和 YC 项目的作用被认为是支持自我同情的一种可能性。