Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

23-08-2017 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Practicing Self-Compassion Weakens the Relationship Between Fear of Receiving Compassion and the Desire to Conceal Negative Experiences from Others

Auteurs: Jessica R. Dupasquier, Allison C. Kelly, David A. Moscovitch, Vanja Vidovic

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 2/2018

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Disclosure of personal distress is linked to important interpersonal and intrapersonal benefits. However, people who tend to view self-disclosure as being risky are likely to conceal their feelings and forgo opportunities to receive valuable social support. One such group of people may be those who fear receiving compassion. The current study of 85 female undergraduates investigated (a) whether fear of receiving compassion would predict decreased distress disclosure and (b) whether inducing a self-compassionate mindset could help to temper the association between fear of receiving compassion and perceived risks of revealing one’s distress to others. Participants completed self-report questionnaires to measure trait-like fears of receiving compassion as well as general distress disclosure tendencies. They were then enrolled in a laboratory experiment in which they recalled a personal past negative experience and were randomly assigned to write about it in a self-compassionate, self-esteem enhancing, or non-directive way. Finally, they rated how risky disclosing their experience would feel and disclosed the event in a written letter to another person. At a trait level, results indicated that the more participants feared receiving compassion, the less they tended to disclose. Moreover, self-compassion training—but neither of the comparison conditions—significantly weakened the positive link between fear of receiving compassion and perceived risks of distress disclosure. These novel findings suggest that practicing self-compassion could help to neutralize the maladaptive relationship between fear of receiving compassion and perceived risk of disclosure.
Bijlagen
Alleen toegankelijk voor geautoriseerde gebruikers
Literatuur
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.CrossRef American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.CrossRef
go back to reference Barnard, L. K., & Curry, J. F. (2011). Self-compassion: conceptualizations, correlates, & interventions. Review of General Psychology, 15, 289–303.CrossRef Barnard, L. K., & Curry, J. F. (2011). Self-compassion: conceptualizations, correlates, & interventions. Review of General Psychology, 15, 289–303.CrossRef
go back to reference Besser, A., Flett, G. L., & Davis, R. A. (2003). Self-criticism, dependency, silencing the self, and loneliness: a test of a mediational model. Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 1735–1752.CrossRef Besser, A., Flett, G. L., & Davis, R. A. (2003). Self-criticism, dependency, silencing the self, and loneliness: a test of a mediational model. Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 1735–1752.CrossRef
go back to reference Breines, J. G., & Chen, S. (2012). Self-compassion increases self-improvement motivation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38, 1133–1143.CrossRefPubMed Breines, J. G., & Chen, S. (2012). Self-compassion increases self-improvement motivation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38, 1133–1143.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Breines, J., & Chen, S. (2013). Activating the inner caregiver: the role of support-giving schemas in increasing state self-compassion. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49, 58–64.CrossRef Breines, J., & Chen, S. (2013). Activating the inner caregiver: the role of support-giving schemas in increasing state self-compassion. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49, 58–64.CrossRef
go back to reference Callaghan, D. E., Graff, M. F., & Davies, J. (2013). Revealing all: misleading self-disclosure rates in laboratory-based online research. Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking, 16, 690–694.CrossRef Callaghan, D. E., Graff, M. F., & Davies, J. (2013). Revealing all: misleading self-disclosure rates in laboratory-based online research. Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking, 16, 690–694.CrossRef
go back to reference Collins, N. L., & Miller, L. C. (1994). Self-disclosure and liking: a meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 116, 457–475.CrossRefPubMed Collins, N. L., & Miller, L. C. (1994). Self-disclosure and liking: a meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 116, 457–475.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Cunha, M., Pereira, C., Galhardo, A., Couto, M., & Massano-Cardoso, I. (2015). Social anxiety in adolescents: the role of early negative memories and fear of compassion. European Psychiatry, 30, 28–31.CrossRef Cunha, M., Pereira, C., Galhardo, A., Couto, M., & Massano-Cardoso, I. (2015). Social anxiety in adolescents: the role of early negative memories and fear of compassion. European Psychiatry, 30, 28–31.CrossRef
go back to reference Dindia, K. (2002). Self-disclosure research: knowledge through meta-analysis. In M. Allen, R. W. Preiss, B. M. Gayle, & N. A. Burrell (Eds.), Interpersonal communication research: advances through meta-analysis (pp. 169–185). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Dindia, K. (2002). Self-disclosure research: knowledge through meta-analysis. In M. Allen, R. W. Preiss, B. M. Gayle, & N. A. Burrell (Eds.), Interpersonal communication research: advances through meta-analysis (pp. 169–185). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
go back to reference Gilbert, P. (Ed.). (2005). Compassion: conceptualization, research, and use in psychotherapy. London: Routledge. Gilbert, P. (Ed.). (2005). Compassion: conceptualization, research, and use in psychotherapy. London: Routledge.
go back to reference Gilbert, P. (2009). Introducing compassion-focused therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 15, 199–208.CrossRef Gilbert, P. (2009). Introducing compassion-focused therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 15, 199–208.CrossRef
go back to reference Gilbert, P. (2014). The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53, 6–41.CrossRefPubMed Gilbert, P. (2014). The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53, 6–41.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2004). A pilot exploration of the use of compassionate images in a group of self-critical people. Memory, 12, 507–516.CrossRefPubMed Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2004). A pilot exploration of the use of compassionate images in a group of self-critical people. Memory, 12, 507–516.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Matos, M., & Rivis, A. (2011). Fears of compassion: development of three self-report measures. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice., 84, 239–255.CrossRef Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Matos, M., & Rivis, A. (2011). Fears of compassion: development of three self-report measures. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice., 84, 239–255.CrossRef
go back to reference Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Gibbons, L., Chotai, S., Duarte, J., & Matos, M. (2012). Fears of compassion and happiness in relation to alexithymia, mindfulness, and self-criticism. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 85, 374–390.CrossRef Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Gibbons, L., Chotai, S., Duarte, J., & Matos, M. (2012). Fears of compassion and happiness in relation to alexithymia, mindfulness, and self-criticism. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 85, 374–390.CrossRef
go back to reference Heinrichs, M., Baumgartner, T., Kirschbaum, C., & Ehlert, U. (2003). Social support and oxytocin interact to suppress cortisol and subjective responses to psychosocial stress. Biological Psychiatry, 54, 1389–1398.CrossRefPubMed Heinrichs, M., Baumgartner, T., Kirschbaum, C., & Ehlert, U. (2003). Social support and oxytocin interact to suppress cortisol and subjective responses to psychosocial stress. Biological Psychiatry, 54, 1389–1398.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Houghton, D.J., & Joinson, A.N. (2012, January). Linguistic markers of secrets and sensitive self-disclosure in Twitter. Paper presented at the 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Maui, HI. Houghton, D.J., & Joinson, A.N. (2012, January). Linguistic markers of secrets and sensitive self-disclosure in Twitter. Paper presented at the 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Maui, HI.
go back to reference Hyde, L. W., Gorka, A., Manuck, S. B., & Hariri, A. R. (2011). Perceived social support moderates the link between threat-related amygdala reactivity and trait anxiety. Neuropsychologia, 49, 651–656.CrossRefPubMed Hyde, L. W., Gorka, A., Manuck, S. B., & Hariri, A. R. (2011). Perceived social support moderates the link between threat-related amygdala reactivity and trait anxiety. Neuropsychologia, 49, 651–656.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference IBM Corporation. (2011). IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 20.0. Armonk: IBM Corporation. IBM Corporation. (2011). IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 20.0. Armonk: IBM Corporation.
go back to reference Joeng, J. R., & Turner, S. L. (2015). Mediators between self-criticism and depression: fear of compassion, self-compassion, and importance to others. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 62, 453–463.CrossRef Joeng, J. R., & Turner, S. L. (2015). Mediators between self-criticism and depression: fear of compassion, self-compassion, and importance to others. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 62, 453–463.CrossRef
go back to reference Joeng, J. R., Turner, S. L., Kim, E. Y., Choi, S. A., Lee, Y. J., & Kim, J. K. (2017). Insecure attachment and emotional distress: fear of self-compassion and self-compassion as mediators. Personality and Individual Differences, 112, 6–11.CrossRef Joeng, J. R., Turner, S. L., Kim, E. Y., Choi, S. A., Lee, Y. J., & Kim, J. K. (2017). Insecure attachment and emotional distress: fear of self-compassion and self-compassion as mediators. Personality and Individual Differences, 112, 6–11.CrossRef
go back to reference Johnson, E. A., & O’Brien, K. A. (2013). Self-compassion soothes the savage EGO-threat system: effects on negative affect, shame, rumination, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 32, 939–963.CrossRef Johnson, E. A., & O’Brien, K. A. (2013). Self-compassion soothes the savage EGO-threat system: effects on negative affect, shame, rumination, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 32, 939–963.CrossRef
go back to reference Kahn, J. H., & Hessling, R. M. (2001). Measuring the tendency to conceal versus disclose psychological distress. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 20, 41–65.CrossRef Kahn, J. H., & Hessling, R. M. (2001). Measuring the tendency to conceal versus disclose psychological distress. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 20, 41–65.CrossRef
go back to reference Kahn, J. H., Achter, J. A., & Shambaugh, E. J. (2001). Client distress disclosure, characteristics at intake, and outcome in brief counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48, 203–211.CrossRef Kahn, J. H., Achter, J. A., & Shambaugh, E. J. (2001). Client distress disclosure, characteristics at intake, and outcome in brief counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48, 203–211.CrossRef
go back to reference Kahn, J. H., Hucke, B. E., Bradley, A. M., Glinski, A. J., & Malak, B. L. (2012). The distress disclosure index: a research review and multi-trait-multimethod examination. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59, 134–149.CrossRefPubMed Kahn, J. H., Hucke, B. E., Bradley, A. M., Glinski, A. J., & Malak, B. L. (2012). The distress disclosure index: a research review and multi-trait-multimethod examination. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59, 134–149.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Kelly, A. C., & Dupasquier, J. (2016). Social safeness mediates the relationship between recalled parental warmth and the capacity for self-compassion and receiving compassion. Personality and Individual Differences, 89, 157–161.CrossRef Kelly, A. C., & Dupasquier, J. (2016). Social safeness mediates the relationship between recalled parental warmth and the capacity for self-compassion and receiving compassion. Personality and Individual Differences, 89, 157–161.CrossRef
go back to reference Kelly, A. C., & Stephen, E. (2016). A daily diary study of self-compassion, body image, and eating behavior in female college students. Body Image, 17, 152–160.CrossRefPubMed Kelly, A. C., & Stephen, E. (2016). A daily diary study of self-compassion, body image, and eating behavior in female college students. Body Image, 17, 152–160.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Larzelere, R. E., & Huston, R. L. (1980). The dyadic trust scale: toward understanding interpersonal trust in close relationships. Journal of Marriage and Family, 42, 595–604.CrossRef Larzelere, R. E., & Huston, R. L. (1980). The dyadic trust scale: toward understanding interpersonal trust in close relationships. Journal of Marriage and Family, 42, 595–604.CrossRef
go back to reference Laurenceau, J. P., Barrett, L. F., & Pietromonaco, P. R. (1998). Intimacy as an interpersonal process: the importance of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness in interpersonal exchanges. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1238–1251.CrossRefPubMed Laurenceau, J. P., Barrett, L. F., & Pietromonaco, P. R. (1998). Intimacy as an interpersonal process: the importance of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness in interpersonal exchanges. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1238–1251.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Leary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Allen, A. B., Adams, C. E., & Hancock, J. (2007). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: the implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5, 887–904.CrossRef Leary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Allen, A. B., Adams, C. E., & Hancock, J. (2007). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: the implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5, 887–904.CrossRef
go back to reference Macdonald, J., & Morley, I. (2001). Shame and non-disclosure: a study of the emotional isolation of people referred for psychotherapy. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 74(1), 1–21.CrossRef Macdonald, J., & Morley, I. (2001). Shame and non-disclosure: a study of the emotional isolation of people referred for psychotherapy. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 74(1), 1–21.CrossRef
go back to reference Maltese, A., Alesi, M., & Alù, A. G. (2012). Self-esteem, defensive strategies and social intelligence in adolescence. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 69, 2054–2060.CrossRef Maltese, A., Alesi, M., & Alù, A. G. (2012). Self-esteem, defensive strategies and social intelligence in adolescence. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 69, 2054–2060.CrossRef
go back to reference Miron, L. R., Seligowski, A. V., Boykin, D. M., & Orcutt, H. K. (2016). The potential indirect effect of childhood abuse on posttrauma pathology through self-compassion and fear of self-compassion. Mindfulness, 7, 596–605.CrossRef Miron, L. R., Seligowski, A. V., Boykin, D. M., & Orcutt, H. K. (2016). The potential indirect effect of childhood abuse on posttrauma pathology through self-compassion and fear of self-compassion. Mindfulness, 7, 596–605.CrossRef
go back to reference Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2, 223–250.CrossRef Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2, 223–250.CrossRef
go back to reference Neff, K. D., & McGeehee, P. (2010). Self-compassion and psychological resilience among adolescents and young adults. Self and Identity, 9, 225–240.CrossRef Neff, K. D., & McGeehee, P. (2010). Self-compassion and psychological resilience among adolescents and young adults. Self and Identity, 9, 225–240.CrossRef
go back to reference Odou, N., & Brinker, J. (2015). Self-compassion, a better alternative to rumination than distraction as a response to negative mood. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10, 447–457.CrossRef Odou, N., & Brinker, J. (2015). Self-compassion, a better alternative to rumination than distraction as a response to negative mood. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10, 447–457.CrossRef
go back to reference Omarzu, J. (2000). A disclosure decision model: determining how and when individuals will self-disclose. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2, 174–185.CrossRef Omarzu, J. (2000). A disclosure decision model: determining how and when individuals will self-disclose. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2, 174–185.CrossRef
go back to reference Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science, 8, 162–166.CrossRef Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science, 8, 162–166.CrossRef
go back to reference Pennebaker, J. W., Boyd, R. L., Jordan, K., & Blackburn, K. (2015). The development and psychometric properties of LIWC2015. Austin: University of Texas at Austin. Pennebaker, J. W., Boyd, R. L., Jordan, K., & Blackburn, K. (2015). The development and psychometric properties of LIWC2015. Austin: University of Texas at Austin.
go back to reference Richardson, C. M., & Rice, K. G. (2015). Self-critical perfectionism, daily stress, and disclosure of emotional events. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62, 694–702.CrossRefPubMed Richardson, C. M., & Rice, K. G. (2015). Self-critical perfectionism, daily stress, and disclosure of emotional events. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62, 694–702.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton: Princeton University Press.CrossRef Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton: Princeton University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Saxena, P., & Mehrotra, S. (2010). Emotional disclosure in day-to-day living and subjective well-being. Psychological Studies, 55, 208–218.CrossRef Saxena, P., & Mehrotra, S. (2010). Emotional disclosure in day-to-day living and subjective well-being. Psychological Studies, 55, 208–218.CrossRef
go back to reference Simon-Thomas, E. R., Godzik, J., Castle, E., Antonenko, O., Ponz, A., Kogan, A., & Keltner, D. J. (2012). An fMRI study of caring vs self-focus during induced compassion and pride. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 7, 635–648.CrossRefPubMed Simon-Thomas, E. R., Godzik, J., Castle, E., Antonenko, O., Ponz, A., Kogan, A., & Keltner, D. J. (2012). An fMRI study of caring vs self-focus during induced compassion and pride. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 7, 635–648.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Sloan, A. E., & Kahn, J. H. (2005). Client self-disclosure as a predictor of short-term outcome in brief psychotherapy. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 19(3), 25–39.CrossRef Sloan, A. E., & Kahn, J. H. (2005). Client self-disclosure as a predictor of short-term outcome in brief psychotherapy. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 19(3), 25–39.CrossRef
go back to reference Tafarodi, R. W., & Milne, A. B. (2006). Decomposing global self-esteem. Journal of Personality, 70, 443–483. Tafarodi, R. W., & Milne, A. B. (2006). Decomposing global self-esteem. Journal of Personality, 70, 443–483.
go back to reference Vogel, D. L., & Wester, S. R. (2003). To seek help or not to seek help: the risks of self-disclosure. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 3, 351–361.CrossRef Vogel, D. L., & Wester, S. R. (2003). To seek help or not to seek help: the risks of self-disclosure. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 3, 351–361.CrossRef
go back to reference Ward, M., Doherty, D. T., & Moran, R. (2007). It’s good to talk: distress disclosure and psychological wellbeing. Dublin: Health Research Board. Ward, M., Doherty, D. T., & Moran, R. (2007). It’s good to talk: distress disclosure and psychological wellbeing. Dublin: Health Research Board.
Metagegevens
Titel
Practicing Self-Compassion Weakens the Relationship Between Fear of Receiving Compassion and the Desire to Conceal Negative Experiences from Others
Auteurs
Jessica R. Dupasquier
Allison C. Kelly
David A. Moscovitch
Vanja Vidovic
Publicatiedatum
23-08-2017
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Mindfulness / Uitgave 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0792-0