Trait self-compassion predicts different responses to failure depending on the interpersonal context

Abstract

Higher trait self-compassion is consistently linked to more adaptive responses to distressing events but it is unclear whether this is equally true across contexts. The congruence theory of interactionism states that when individuals' characteristics match their environment, they experience better outcomes. As a primary component of self-compassion is understanding that personal struggles are a part of the human experience, trait self-compassion should be more strongly related to adaptive responses to failures in contexts that signal a sense of common humanity versus isolation. The present study tested this theory. 102 undergraduates underwent an induced failure and then received a contextual cue that led them to believe that a peer had experienced a similar event (Common Humanity condition) or had not (Alone condition). Participants then completed questionnaires. Trait self-compassion interacted with condition to predict responses to the failure. Trait self-compassion predicted more adaptive responses to the failure (i.e., greatest state self-compassion and positive affect, and lowest state shame) when the participants shared the failure experience with a peer as opposed to when they experienced it alone. Results suggest that the adaptive response styles of self-compassionate individuals to negative events may vary based on the interpersonal context of the failure.