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Examining the Relationships Among Self-Compassion, Social Anxiety, and Post-Event Processing
Rebecca A Blackie1, Nancy L Kocovski1
1Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada.
Psychological Reports
|January 5, 2018
Summary
Individuals high in self-compassion engage less in post-event processing, which is negative thinking after social events. Self-compassion acts as a protective buffer against this common anxiety response.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Post-event processing involves repetitive negative thinking after social anxiety-provoking situations.
- Individuals engaging in post-event processing may exhibit lower levels of self-compassion.
- Self-compassion is a potential protective factor against maladaptive cognitive patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between self-compassion and post-event processing.
- To identify specific self-compassion domains that may mitigate post-event processing.
- To determine if self-compassion buffers against negative thinking following social situations.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with undergraduate students and individuals seeking help for social anxiety.
- Participants completed questionnaires assessing self-compassion and post-event processing.
- State post-event processing was measured after recalling a social situation.
Main Results:
- Self-compassion showed a significant negative correlation with post-event processing.
- This correlation remained significant even after controlling for self-esteem.
- Differences in correlation were observed based on the type of social situation.
Conclusions:
- Self-compassion appears to serve as a buffer against post-event processing.
- Higher self-compassion is associated with reduced engagement in repetitive negative thinking after social events.
- Future research should explore experimentally whether enhancing self-compassion reduces post-event processing.
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