Fears Of Compassion Research Articles

Fear of Happiness: Description, Causes and Prevention

Studies in mental health is to increase the positive emotions of the person and to reduce the negative emotions, beliefs and thoughts. Especially after positive psychology, many studies have been carried out to ensure that individuals have positive emotions. However, in recent studies, it has been determined that individuals avoid not only negative emotions but also positive emotions. Thus, you suppress your positive emotions because of fear of happiness. The individual's beliefs and cultural values also affect mental health. The person is afraid of being happy because of these beliefs and cultural values. Fear of happiness is the avoidance of happines. When people believe thet unhappiness will come immediately after happiness or that the environment will be harmed after being happy, fear of happiness occurs. Fear of happiness harms both the mental health and social relations. Morever, fear of happiness is associated with alexithymia, anxiety, stress, fear of compassion, antisocial, cognitive distortions related to relationships, panic disorder and especially depression. It is extremely important to know and define the fear of happiness for an effective treatment interventions. Fear of happiness rests in maladaptive schemas in early life, not meeting their needs warmly and sincerely in childhood, punishing them when they experience positive emotions, and growing up in a family with unhealthy family patterns. In this study, it is aimed to define fear of happiness, to determine the protective and risk factors, to determine the causative factors, to explain the related concepts, and so to raise awareness about fear of happiness.

대학생의 내면화된 수치심이 외로움에 미치는 영향

Objectives The purposes of this study were to examine the mediated effect and pathway of self-criticism and the fear of compassion in the relationship of internalized shame on loneliness of university students. Methods To this end, 340 university students and graduate students aged 18 to 30 years old completed self-re-ported questionnaires consisting of Internalized Shame Scale(ISS), Self-Critical Cognition Scale(SCCS), The Korean version of the Fear of Compassion Scales, The UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3. Based on the collected data, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and double mediation effects were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and PROCESS Macro ver 3.5 program. Results First, there are positive correlations among internalized shame, loneliness, self-criticism and the fear of compassion. Second, the direct path for loneliness from internalized shame, self-criticism and the fear of com-passion from others was significant. but, the direct path for loneliness from fear of compassion for self was not significant. Third, in the pathway in which internalized shame affects loneliness, the sequential partial dual media-tion pathway of the fear of compassion from others and self-criticism was confirmed. Conclusions Finally, based on these results, the implications and limitations of this study and suggestions for the further research were discussed.

Promoting Teachers’ Wellbeing Using a Compassionate Mind Training Intervention: Exploring Mechanisms of Change

ObjectivesThe current study aimed to examine the mechanisms of change of a compassionate mind training intervention for teachers (CMT-T). In particular, we examined whether changes in the three flows of compassion, fears of compassion, and emotions at work (safe, drive, and threat) mediated the effects of the CMT-T in burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress, and in overall positive affect.MethodsAs part of a two-arm randomized controlled trial and a stepped-wedge design, the study included all participants who completed the 8-week CMT-T intervention either at Time 1 or at Time 2 (n = 103). At pre- and post-intervention, participants completed measures of compassion, fears of compassion, emotional climate in the workplace, burnout, psychopathological symptoms, and positive affect.ResultsMediation analyses revealed that increases in the flows of compassion and reductions in fears of compassion from others mediated the effects of CMT-T on teachers' depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout levels. In the case of the reduction in stress symptoms from pre- to post-intervention, compassion for self, fears of self-compassion, and fears of receiving compassion from others emerged as significant mediators of this change. The three flows of compassion and fears of compassion (for self and from others) were significant mediators of the impact of CMT-T on changes in teachers’ anxiety levels from baseline to post-intervention. A decrease in fears of compassion from others and an increase in drive emotions mediated changes in depressive symptoms following CMT-T. Concerning burnout, all flows of compassion and fear of compassion from others mediated the changes from baseline to post-intervention. Changes in positive affect following CMT-T were mediated by increases in the flows of compassion, and emotions related to soothing-safeness and drive systems in the workplace. Serial mediational models showed that the effect of CMT-T on teachers’ burnout was partially mediated by reductions in fears of compassion (for self and from others) and stress.ConclusionsCMT-T effectively improves teachers’ wellbeing and reduces burnout and psychological distress through the cultivation of their ability to experience, direct, and be open to compassion, and the strengthening of the soothing-safeness and the drive systems in the school context.PreregistrationThe study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: identifier, NCT05107323; Compassionate Schools: Feasibility and Effectiveness Study of a Compassionate Mind Training Program to Promote Teachers Wellbeing.

The Effects of Narcissistic Tendencies on the Perceived Effectiveness of Interpersonal Emotion Regulation: Fears of Compassion as Mediators

The Effects of Narcissistic Tendencies on the Perceived Effectiveness of Interpersonal Emotion Regulation: Fears of Compassion as Mediators

The role of compassion in moral injury among military veterans: Implications for treatment.

The study investigated the relationship between psychological distress, alcohol use, the three fears of compassion (i.e., to self, from others, and to others), facilitators and inhibitors of compassion (self-reassurance, shame, and self-criticizing), and the three flows of compassion (to self, to others, and from others) on moral injury (MI) in military veterans. A total of 127 participants (81.9% male, Mage = 51.24, SD = 13.98) completed measures of MI, psychological distress, alcohol use, shame, fears of compassion, self-criticizing and self-reassurance, and the three flows of compassion. Bivariate correlations and a hierarchical multiple regression were conducted to determine relationships between psychological distress, alcohol use, and the facets of compassion and MI, and whether psychological distress, alcohol use, and the facets of compassion predicted MI among veterans. Demographic variables of younger age and lower rank alongside psychological distress, alcohol use, and the facets of compassion were all significantly related to MI in veterans. Age, rank, psychological distress, alcohol use, and the facets of compassion did not predict MI in veterans. However, shame was found to be the biggest predictor of MI in veterans, followed by lower rank. The study supports prior research indicating MI as a shame-based presentation with younger age and lower rank posing as risk factors for MI in veterans. Additionally, the findings indicate strong relationships between the facets of compassion and MI in veterans, highlighting the potential clinical utility of including compassion within MI-based interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Shame, fear of compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance mediate the effect of early life events on emotional disorders among male prisoners: A structural equation modeling analysis

BackgroundEarly negative experiences in childhood are potent predictors of criminal behavior in youth and adulthood. This study aimed to identify the mediation effects of Shame, Fear of Compassion, Self-criticism, and Self-reassurance on the effect of Early Life Events on Emotional Disorders. MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 male prisoners (Mean age: 33.26 ± 8.41 years) with convenient sampling method, from Ilam, Iran. A set of self-reported instruments were used for data collection. The ultimate model was constructed using structural equation modeling after confirming the construct validity of the measures via confirmatory factor analysis. ResultsShame, fear of compassion, self-criticism, and self-reassurance significantly mediated the relationship between Early Life Events and emotional disorders. The mediating effect accounted for 77 % of the total effect in the mediating model. According to Pearson's correlation, a positive and significant relationship existed between early life events and self-criticism, shame, fear of compassion and emotional disorders (P < .001). In conclusion, the presented model has an appropriate and acceptable fit, as evidenced by the results of the chi-square test (χ2 = 48.067, p < .001) and other relevant fit indices. However, self-reassurance's mediating role was insignificant (P > .05). ConclusionsThe present results showed that shame, fear of compassion, and self-criticism are important mediators in the relationship between early life events and emotional disorders among male prisoners. So, it is necessary to develop related protocols to increase the mental health of prisoners.

대학생의 애착이 용서에 미치는 영향

This study explored the connection between attachment and forgiveness in college students, investigating the mediating roles of empathy and fear of compassion. A questionnaire, including attachment, empathy, fear of compassion, and Korean forgiveness scales, was administered to 493 university students. Correlation analysis and mediation effect analysis were conducted to determine the relationship between each variable, and the results are as follows. First, attachment was positively correlated with empathy and negatively correlated with Fear of compassion. And empathy and forgiveness were negatively correlated with Fear of compassion. Second, Empathy and fear of compassion were found to sequentially mediate the relationship between attachment and forgiveness. Third, the direct effect of attachment on forgiveness was not significant. This suggests that it is effective to provide counseling intervention to increase empathy and lower the level of fear of compassion for college students who have difficulty in practicing forgiveness due to attachment. Finally, the limitations of this study and suggestions for follow-up research were discussed.

Threatening Beliefs About Self and Others Moderate the Association Between Psychoticism and Psychological Distress.

Psychoticism is a multidimensional personality construct involving odd or eccentric behavior, quasi-psychotic experiences, mistrust, interpersonal detachment, and liability for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, as well as significant distress. Recent advances suggest it can be understood as a dimension that is continuously distributed in the population, leading to questions about factors that contribute to distress and dysfunction among people with a schizotypal liability. We investigated in a large nonclinical sample of young adults whether associations between psychoticism and psychological distress would increase in the presence of threatening beliefs. In our study ( N = 2127), we found that the association between psychoticism and psychological distress is moderated by threatening beliefs including self-criticism, fear of compassion, and socially prescribed perfectionism. These results suggest that distress increases among people with schizotypal traits in the context of negative beliefs about self and others. We discuss implications for clinical practice and directions for further research.

Fears and Resistances to Mindfulness: Development of a Self-Report Scale

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to develop a new self-report scale to explore the “fears, blocks and resistances of mindfulness”. Currently, there is no scale to identify individuals who may struggle with engaging in mindfulness.MethodA total of 522 participants were invited to take part in the study from three countries: Australia (n = 199), Portugal (n = 160), and the UK (n = 163). Participants completed a range of self-report scales including the newly developed Fears and Resistances to Mindfulness (FRM), Fears of Compassion, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, Forms of Self-criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire.ResultsFactor analyses suggested the scale comprised 2 factors. One was related to fears of paying attention to what arises within one’s mind. The second factor was related to resistances, i.e. that mindfulness is a waste of time. Seven items were filler items, and 5 items were identified as problematic due to low communalities or cross-loading; therefore from the original 31 items, 19 were retained in the final scale, which demonstrated excellent internal consistency (McDonald’s Ω = 0.90 for both scales), good construct validity, and temporal stability. Blocks to mindfulness did not emerge as a separate factor.ConclusionsThis is the first study to specifically explore fears and resistances to mindfulness and their associations with fears of compassion, self-criticism, and mental health difficulties. Data suggested that fears and resistances are distinct constructs and should be measured independently. The new measure can offer insights in to fears and resistances to mindfulness, and future research can explore how to work with them.PreregistrationThis study was not preregistered.

Self-compassion and fear of compassion in the treatment of chronic depression: Mechanisms of change?

The aim of this naturalistic process study was to investigate the relationship between self-compassion, fear of compassion from others, and depressive symptoms over the course of psychotherapy in patients with chronic depression. A sample of 226 patients with chronic depression who received inpatient short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) provided weekly self-report measures of self-compassion, fear of compassion, and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). Trivariate latent curve modeling with structured residuals was applied to investigate the between- and within-patient relationships among the variables. At the between-patient level, a significant positive correlation was found between slope of depression and the slope of fear of compassion. At the within-patient level, a lower than expected level of fear of compassion predicted a subsequent lower than expected level of depression (mean weekly effect size = 0.12), with a smaller reciprocal relationship (mean weekly effect size = 0.08). There was no significant within-patient effect of self-compassion predicting subsequent depression, but a significant effect of a lower than expected level of depression predicting a subsequent higher than expected level of self-compassion (mean weekly effect size = -0.13). No within-patient effect between self-compassion and fear of compassion was found. In the context of this study, it appears that fear of compassion may be a putative mechanism of change involved in alleviating depressive symptoms in patients with chronic depression treated with STPP. On the other hand, self-compassion appears to be an outcome of psychotherapy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Longitudinal influence of self-compassion and fears of compassion on prosocial and antisocial behaviour in sport: A conditional latent growth curve modelling analysis

ABSTRACT The impact of self-compassion on athlete wellbeing is well established. Much less researched is the impact of self-compassion, and its related fears (hereafter “fears of compassion”) on athletes’ prosocial and antisocial behaviours. Indeed, sporting contexts offer opportunities for athletes to demonstrate prosocial and antisocial behaviours towards teammates and competitors, and these behaviours could lead to various performance and wellbeing-related consequences. Given the well-documented benefits of a compassion, and the intention to investigate alternative antecedents or predictors of prosocial and antisocial behaviour in sport, we assessed the longitudinal influences of self-compassion and fears of compassion on athletes’ prosocial and antisocial behaviours. The study used a repeated measures design, where 324 athletes (174 male, 150 female) from 35 different sports (22 individual sports, 13 team sports) completed surveys at baseline and the 4th and 8th month. Conditional latent growth curve modelling revealed higher self-compassion and lower fears of receiving compassion from others at baseline were associated with greater prosocial behaviours, whilst higher fears of self-compassion were associated with higher antisocial behaviour, over eight months. Results also revealed a trend for antisocial behaviour to increase across the study period. Compassion-based interventions may be of value to athletes to improve prosocial behaviours in sport contexts.

Effects of human and animal-assisted skills training on oxytocin und cortisol levels in patients with borderline personality disorder

ObjectiveBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterised, among other symptoms, by emotional instability and difficulties in regulating proximity to significant others. Many with BPD have difficulties in establishing a trustful therapeutic relationship, which often develop before a background of adverse childhood experiences with caregivers. One way to facilitate therapeutic interaction in psychotherapy incorporates pet animals as “door openers”. No study exists, however, that has examined the effect of animal-assisted versus human-guided skills training on neurobiological correlates of affiliation and stress regulation, i.e. oxytocin and cortisol. MethodsTwenty in-patients diagnosed with BPD were recruited to participate in an animal-assisted skills-training. Another 20 in-patients participated in a human-guided skills-training. Salivary samples of both groups were taken for determining oxytocin and cortisol before and immediately after 3 therapeutic sessions at least one week apart from one another. In addition, borderline symptom severity (BSL-23), impulsivity (BIS-15), alexithymia (TAS-20), and fear of compassion (FOCS) were determined by self-rating questionnaires before and after the 6-week interventions. ResultsBoth therapeutic interventions led to a significant reduction in cortisol and an (non-significant) increase in oxytocin, respectively. Importantly, there was a statistically significant interaction between changes in cortisol and oxytocin, independent of group. Both groups further showed clinical improvement as measured using the above-listed questionnaires. ConclusionOur findings suggest that both animal-assisted and human-guided interventions have measurable short-term effects on affiliative and stress hormones, with no approach being superior to the other in this regard.

Universal protective and risk factors of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of compassion and fears of compassion

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented detrimental impact on mental health in people around the world. It is therefore important to examine factors that may buffer or heighten the risk of mental health problems in this context.ObjectivesThe current study explores the buffering effects of different flows of compassion (for self, for others, from others) and the magnifying effects of fears of compassion on the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on indicators of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.Methods4057 adult participants collected from the general community population across 21 countries from Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, Asia and Oceania, completed self-report measures of perceived threat of COVID-19, compassion, fears of compassion, social safeness, loneliness, depression, anxiety, stress, posttraumatic stress and growth.ResultsSelf-compassion moderated the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress, whereas compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of COVID-19 on social safeness. Fears of compassion moderated the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on psychological distress. Only fears of compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of COVID-19 on social safeness. Furthermore, social connection (compassion and social safeness) predicted higher post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress, whereas social disconnection (fears of compassion and loneliness) predicted increased traumatic symptoms only. Social connection heightened the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth, while social disconnection weakened this impact. Social disconnection magnified the impact of the perceived threat of COVID-19 on traumatic stress. The effects were consistent across countries.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the universal protective role of compassion and social connection in promoting resilience and buffering against the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. Furthermore, our results reveal that fears of compassion have a magnifying effect on the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Fear of Compassion and Big Five Personality Traits in College Students

ABSTRACT Compassion and self-compassion have significant benefits for well-being and mental health. Recent literature has demonstrated that some individuals experience fear when receiving compassion from oneself or others. Fear of compassion from oneself, from others, and for others are separate but related constructs that have been strongly linked to self-criticism, depression, anxiety, and stress among college students. The present study examines how fears of compassion (measured by the Fear of Compassion scales) relate to Big Five personality traits (measured by the NEO Five Factor Inventory; Costa & McCrae, 1992) in college students. Bivariate correlational analyses revealed fear of compassion to be correlated positively with neuroticism and negatively with extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. These findings add to the literature in understanding which individuals harbor fear of compassion. Clinical implications and recommendations are discussed.

Self-Acceptance Mediates the Relationship between Perceived Parenting Behaviors and Fears of Compassion

Self-Acceptance Mediates the Relationship between Perceived Parenting Behaviors and Fears of Compassion

Compassionate mind training for ex-service personnel with PTSD and their partners.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant issue for a substantial proportion of Australian ex-service personnel. In addition to the functional impact on individuals, PTSD can have a significant impact on intimate partner relationships. Research has demonstrated that practicing compassion and self-compassion may be an important component of psychological therapy for survivors of trauma, while also demonstrating benefits to intimate relationships. This pilot study aimed to investigate the utility of a Compassionate Mind Training intervention for ex-service personnel with PTSD and their partners. An uncontrolled, within-subjects, longitudinal design was utilized with assessment at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. Twenty-four participants attended 12 biweekly group sessions. Self-report measures of compassion, quality of life and psychological symptoms were administered at each time point. Findings demonstrated a significant reduction in fears of compassion and PTSD symptoms for ex-service personnel at 3-month follow-up and a reduction in depressive symptoms and increase in quality-of-life and social safeness at post-intervention. Additionally, significant reductions in anxiety, stress, external shame and self-criticism at 3-month follow-up were found, and couples reported significant increases in relationship satisfaction. Findings from this pilot study demonstrate promising outcomes, warranting further investigation in a larger randomized controlled trial of Compassionate Mind Training for ex-service personnel and their partners.

Supplemental Material for Self-Compassion and Fear of Compassion in the Treatment of Chronic Depression: Mechanisms of Change?

Supplemental Material for Self-Compassion and Fear of Compassion in the Treatment of Chronic Depression: Mechanisms of Change?

Mindfulness for the self-management of negative coping, rumination and fears of compassion in people with cancer: An exploratory study.

Cancer and its treatments have the potential to significantly impact mental health, provoking feelings of anxiety, depression, and distress, which can last long after treatment is over. One of the most rapidly emerging influences in the healthcare field is mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which are designed to cultivate present moment awareness, attentional flexibility, compassion and acceptance, to reduce physical and psychological distress. However, there is limited research into the efficacy of MBIs or disease specific MBIs in shifting negative coping, ruminative thinking and fears of compassion as primary outcomes in individuals with cancer. This exploratory study was designed to evaluate inter- and intra-individual change in the management of negative coping, rumination and fears of compassion, following a cancer-specific mindfulness-based intervention. A single group, non-experimental, repeated measures study of 22 participants across six cancer care centres explored the efficacy of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer (MBCT-Ca) course. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) examined reliable clinical improvement, deterioration, or no change in individuals on the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MACS), the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) and the Fears of Compassion Scale (FCS). About 82% of participants (n=18) saw an improvement in at least one measure. A significant decrease in primary outcome scores was observed in negative coping, ruminating and fears of self-compassion. There were significant correlations between the fear of self-compassion and depressive ruminating, fear of accepting compassion from others and showing it to others pre and post intervention. Our findings indicate that the MBCT-Ca programme may significantly reduce negative coping, ruminating and fears of self-compassion improving psychological health and wellbeing in cancer survivors.

Fear of compassion from others explains the relation between borderline personality disorder symptoms and ineffective conflict resolution strategies among patients with substance use disorders

BackgroundBorderline personality disorder (BPD) pathology is common among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and associated with a variety of negative outcomes, including worse SUD outcomes. One particularly relevant outcome with links to substance use problems that is likely to be elevated among SUD patients with BPD symptoms is ineffective conflict resolution strategies in romantic relationships. However, no research to date has examined the relation of BPD pathology to strategies for managing conflict in romantic relationships among patients with SUDs, or the factors that may increase the use of ineffective strategies within this population. Thus, this study examined the relations of BPD symptoms to ineffective responses to romantic relationship conflict surrounding substance use among residential patients with SUDs, as well as the explanatory roles of fear of compassion from and for others in these relations.MethodsPatients in a community-based correctional SUD residential treatment facility (N = 93) completed questionnaires, including a measure of BPD symptoms, fear of compassion from and for others, and strategies for responding to conflict surrounding substance use in romantic relationships.ResultsFear of compassion from others accounted for significant variance in the relations of BPD symptoms to the ineffective conflict resolution strategies of reactivity, domination, and submission, whereas fear of compassion for others only accounted for significant variance in the relation between BPD symptoms and the strategy of separation (which is not always ineffective).ConclusionsTogether, findings suggest that it is fear of compassion from others (vs. fear of compassion for others) that explains the relation between BPD symptoms and ineffective responses to romantic relationship conflict surrounding substance use among SUD patients. Findings highlight the potential utility of interventions aimed at reducing fears of compassion and increasing comfort with and tolerance of compassion from both others and oneself among SUD patients with BPD symptoms in order to strengthen relationships and reduce risk for relapse.

PERBEDAAN FEAR OF COMPASSION PADA MAHASISWA DI PROGRAM STUDI PSIKOLOGI UNIVERSITAS NEGERI MANADO

This study aims to determine the differences in fear of compassion among students in class 2019 and class 2021 at the Psychology Study Program, Manado State University. This research method uses quantitative research methods. The subjects of this study used 187 students in the Psychology Study Program at Manado State University using a purposive sampling technique. This research instrument modifies the fear of compassion scale from Paul Gilbert et al (2011) with 46 items. The research was tested using the Independent Sample T Test. Based on the results of the study, it shows that there is a difference in fear of compassion in the 2019 and 2021 classes.