A Brief Writing Exercise Promotes Self-Compassion Among Those Who Fear Self-Compassion

ObjectivesSelf-compassion has been shown to be helpful in a variety of contexts, but few studies have evaluated the feasibility of self-compassion inductions for individuals who fear self-compassion. The aim was to examine the impact of fear of self-compassion on a self-compassion induction.MethodIn two studies, participants recalled a past speech and then were randomly assigned to a self-compassion, reappraisal, or control writing condition. Study 1 (n = 326) was completed online. Study 2 (n = 150) was completed in person and involved anticipating a speech.ResultsIn Study 1, inducing self-compassion led to significantly lower distress and higher state reappraisal compared to control. There were no differences in state measures of anxiety and self-compassion. In Study 2, inducing self-compassion led to significantly lower distress immediately after the induction and when anticipating the speech compared to the control condition. There were no differences on state measures of anxiety, anticipatory anxiety, post-event processing, reappraisal, or self-compassion. In both studies, among those who reported having high fear of self-compassion, those who completed the self-compassionate writing reported higher state self-compassion compared to reappraisal and control.ConclusionsThese studies show the feasibility of self-compassionate writing for individuals with fear of self-compassion.PreregistrationThis study was not preregistered.