The association between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and self-compassion: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Self-compassion, defined as the ability to respond to personal suffering with mindful awareness, self-directed kindness, and recognition of shared humanity, has been linked to reduced risk and severity of psychopathology. No systematic reviews have examined the relationship between self-compassion and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of peer-reviewed quantitative studies reporting associations between validated measures of self-compassion and OC symptoms. Eleven studies (N = 3336) met inclusion criteria. Random-effects models estimated pooled correlations for total symptoms and four core OC symptom dimensions (symmetry/ordering, unacceptable thoughts, checking/responsibility, and contamination/washing). Moderator analyses examined clinical status and cultural orientation.

Across studies, self-compassion was moderately and negatively associated with OC symptom severity (r = -0.34, 95% CI [-0.39, -0.30]), with moderate heterogeneity (τ² = 0.002, I² = 40%). All four symptom dimensions were inversely associated with self-compassion, with the strongest association for unacceptable thoughts (r = -0.41). Neither clinical status nor cultural orientation significantly moderated effects. Funnel plot symmetry and fail-safe N analyses indicated minimal publication bias.

Findings suggest that lower self-compassion is reliably linked to greater OC symptom severity across studies, samples (clinical vs. community), and cultures (individualist vs collectivist), particularly for unacceptable thoughts. These results highlight self-compassion as a potential therapeutic target in OCD, warranting further investigation through longitudinal and interventional studies.