Compassionate goals and responses to social rejection: A mediating role of self-compassion

Abstract

The present study examined how people with compassionate goals cope with the threat of social rejection. Specifically, we tested whether self-compassion mediates the associations between compassionate goals and adaptive responses in the wake of social rejection. Participants (n = 358) first filled out the measure of compassionate goals and then described their personal experience of being rejected by others in their life. Later, they reported their levels of self-compassionate reactions toward their experience, fundamental need satisfaction, and revenge intention toward the rejecter. A path model showed that self-compassionate reactions mediated the relations of compassionate goals to higher satisfaction of fundamental needs, B = 0.170, 95%CI [0.062, 0.273], and lower revenge intention, B = −0.077, 95%CI [−0.164, −0.027]. These mediation pathways remained significant for current need satisfaction, B = 0.196, 95%CI [0.089, 0.290], and revenge intention, B = −0.079, 95%CI [−0.161, −0.029], even after controlling for the characteristics of rejection experiences. This study highlights that people who pursue compassionate goals would likely engage in self-compassion to cope with social rejection and thus maintain greater intra-and interpersonal well-being.

Hurting all the way: The emotional antecedent and consequence of social rejection

“…However, this threatavoidance behavior might generate negative affect equally for the recipient and rejector (Doolaard et al, 2020). Past research has observed negative affect among recipients (Stinson et al, 2011;Hebl et al, 2012;Li et al, 2012;Kawamoto et al, 2017;Miyagawa et al, 2021). As the symmetric party in social rejection, the emotional responses of the rejector still lack awareness from scholars.…”

Effects of loving-kindness and compassion meditations on self-compassion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

“…A series of studies have supported the beneficial effects of self-compassion. As an attitude toward oneself, self-compassion can protect self-esteem in the context of failure or social threats (Miyagawa et al, 2021). Self-compassion is also used as an effective emotion regulation strategy to regulate negative emotions and further generate positive emotions (Diedrich et al, 2014; Rao & Kemper, 2016).…”