Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
07:57
A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Self-compassion and social anxiety disorder
Kelly H Werner1, Hooria Jazaieri, Philippe R Goldin
1Department of Psychology, Stanford University, 420 Jordan Hall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. kwerner@stanford.edu
Anxiety, Stress, and Coping
|September 8, 2011
Summary
Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) exhibit lower self-compassion compared to healthy individuals. Lower self-compassion in SAD is linked to increased fear of evaluation, suggesting it as a potential treatment target.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Self-compassion involves a kind and accepting self-attitude.
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is marked by self-criticism and fear of judgment.
- Research on self-compassion in clinical populations like SAD is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare self-compassion levels in individuals with SAD versus healthy controls (HCs).
- To investigate the relationship between self-compassion, social anxiety severity, and fear of evaluation in SAD.
- To examine the correlation between age and self-compassion in both SAD and HC groups.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of individuals with SAD and HCs.
- Administration of the Self-Compassion Scale and its subscales.
- Statistical analysis to compare groups and assess correlations.
Main Results:
- Individuals with SAD reported significantly lower self-compassion than HCs.
- In the SAD group, lower self-compassion correlated with greater fear of negative and positive evaluation.
- Age was negatively correlated with self-compassion in SAD, but positively in HCs.
Conclusions:
- Self-compassion is notably lower in individuals with SAD.
- Fear of evaluation is associated with reduced self-compassion in SAD.
- Self-compassion may be a crucial area for therapeutic intervention in social anxiety disorder.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
01:26Personality Disorders: Narcissistic and Avoidant
Narcissistic and avoidant personality traits represent two contrasting patterns of behavior that significantly influence social interactions and self-perception. While individuals with narcissistic disorder seek admiration and validation, individuals with avoidant personality disorder withdraw due to fear of judgment.
Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic individuals exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance and an excessive need for admiration. They are often...
Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic individuals exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance and an excessive need for admiration. They are often...
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about the way you...
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
02:16Self-Schemas
In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.