Abstract

Self-love is a fundamental concept in psychology and well-being, encompassing the ability to accept, appreciate, and care for oneself unconditionally. Self-love involves nurturing a positive relationship and acknowledging worth. This multifaceted study aimed to explore the concept of self-love through thematic analysis, identifying its core themes and sub-themes. A qualitative research design was employed using open-ended questionnaires (50) and semi-structured interviews (6) with participants. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis among university students. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of self-love, highlighting its dimensions and aspects. The effects of self-love on mental health, including cultivating and balancing self-love, are discussed, along with their importance and the positive and negative influences of self-love. The findings have implications for promoting self-love and well-being in various contexts, including counselling, education, organizations, and social services.