Exploring Connections Between Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, and Social Anxiety

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders, with lifetime prevalence rates of 3 to 13% (Statistics Canada, 2015). SAD is characterized by excessive fear of being negatively judged or scrutinized by others in social or performance situations (Cox, Fleet, & Stein, 2004). Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between SAD and selfcompassion, and SAD and mindfulness. People with SAD show lower levels of self-compassion compared to healthy controls (Werner et al., 2012), and some research (Neff and Germer, 2013) has indicated that self-compassion can be taught as a skill to enhance levels of self-compassion and overall well-being. As well, mindfulness is a related concept that has been linked to SAD; those with SAD tend to see improvement to their symptoms with mindfulness-based interventions (e.g., Koszycki et al., 2016). Self-compassion and mindfulness are related but distinct constructs that are thought to influence a variety of mental health outcomes. However, few studies have evaluated these constructs concurrently in the context of mental health. The current study examined associations between trait mindfulness, self-compassion and clinical variables in 136 patients with at least moderately severe social anxiety disorder (SAD). Bivariate correlations revealed that higher ratings of self-compassion and facets of mindfulness were associated with less severe social anxiety and depressive symptoms and better functioning and self-esteem. Self-compassion emerged as the strongest predictor of SAD outcomes in regression models. Mediation analysis found that the mindfulness facet Describe served as an indirect mediator in the relationship between self-compassion and severity of clinician-rated social anxiety symptoms. Self-compassion emerged as a mediator between each facet of mindfulness and severity of self-and clinician-rated social anxiety symptoms. Overall, findings from this preliminary cross-sectional study suggest that self-compassion may be a robust indicator of SAD outcomes, and that the ability to label one's experience may partially explain the self-compassion-SAD symptom relationship. Implications for further SAD research are discussed.

Fear of COVID-19 and Mental Health: The Role of Mindfulness in During Times of Crisis

“…Furthermore, the potential of mindfulness in terms of learning to face fear without either repressing it or acting it out can provide a tool to cope with anxiety and depression (Anālayo, 2020 ). Empirically, numerous studies demonstrated that increased levels of mindfulness are associated with decreased levels of anxiety and depression (Flett et al, 2020 ; Fong & Ho, 2020 ; Li et al, 2020 ; MacDonald & Olsen, 2020 ; Makadi & Koszycki, 2020 ; Soo et al, 2020 ). Moreover, several studies highlighted the mitigative effects of mindfulness on interpersonal problems (Janovsky et al, 2019 ), psychological distress (Masuda & Wendell, 2010 ), and, particularly, anxiety and depression (An et al, 2019 ; Lima et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Note. Path coefficients were standardized; insignificant path lines were dashed; ***p < 0.001 associated with decreased levels of anxiety and depression (Flett et al, 2020;Fong & Ho, 2020;Li et al, 2020;MacDonald & Olsen, 2020;Makadi & Koszycki, 2020;Soo et al, 2020). Moreover, several studies highlighted the mitigative effects of mindfulness on interpersonal problems (Janovsky et al, 2019), psychological distress (Masuda & Wendell, 2010), and, particularly, anxiety and depression (An et al, 2019;Lima et al, 2019).…”

The Relationship between Coronavirus Anxiety, Mindfulness and Spiritual Health in Patients with Cancer: A Survey in Southeast Iran

“…Numerous studies have shown that mindfulness is associated with reduced levels of anxiety and depression. [52][53][54][55] Belen 56 found that fear of COVID-19 and anxiety were inversely related to mindfulness and that more mindfulness might protect individuals against the negative effects of fear of coronavirus, anxiety and depression, and improve mental health during the COVID-19 epidemic. Mindfulness refers to the awareness and acceptance of the presence.…”

Fear of COVID-19 and Mental Health: The Role of Mindfulness in During Time of Crisis

“…Theoretically, mindfulness was suggested as a useful skill that can offer a helpful way to adjust with such constant change and cope with anxiety and depression (Behan, 2020). Empirically, an immense number of studies demonstrated that increased levels of mindfulness is associated with decreased levels of anxiety and depression (Fong &Ho, 2020;Li et al, 2020;MacDonald & Olsen, 2020;Makadi & Koszycki, 2020;Montero-Marin et al, 2020;Soo, Kiernan&Anderson, 2020). Moreover, several studies highlighted the mitigative effect of mindfulness on interpersonal problems (Janovsky, Clark & Rock, 2019), psychological distress (Masuda & Wendell, 2010), and particularly anxiety and depression (An, Fu, Yuan, Zhang&Xu, 2019;Lima et al, 2019).…”