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The Effect of Self-Compassion on Shame in Post-Event Processing
Rebecca A Blackie1, Ainsley B Pelley1
1Department of Psychology, Cape Breton University, Sydney, NS, Canada.
Psychological Reports
|July 2, 2026
Summary
A self-compassion writing intervention effectively reduced state shame following difficult social situations. This intervention shows promise for managing post-event processing (PEP) and social anxiety by targeting shame.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Post-event processing (PEP) involves repetitive negative thinking after anxiety-provoking social events, contributing to social anxiety.
- State shame is a significant predictor of PEP, highlighting its role in maintaining social anxiety.
- Targeting shame during the post-event period may be crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a self-compassion intervention can reduce state shame experienced during the post-event period.
- To explore the impact of self-compassion on willingness to communicate in future social situations.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-three participants completed baseline measures of social anxiety, depression, PEP, self-compassion, self-esteem, and shame.
- Participants recalled a difficult social situation and rated their state PEP and shame.
- Random assignment to either a self-compassion writing intervention (n=36) or a control condition (n=37), followed by post-intervention shame and communication willingness ratings.
Main Results:
- The self-compassion intervention group reported significantly lower levels of shame post-intervention compared to the control group.
- No significant differences were found between groups regarding willingness to communicate in future social settings.
- The intervention's effect on shame or communication willingness was not moderated by trait social anxiety or other baseline measures.
Conclusions:
- Self-compassion interventions can effectively reduce state shame associated with post-event processing.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing shame in therapeutic interventions for social anxiety.
- Self-compassion presents a viable strategy for mitigating shame in the context of post-event processing.
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