Abstract / Description of output
Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent mental illness with a young onset age. Preliminary evidence suggested that low self-compassion may contribute to adult social anxiety, but research with youth has lagged far behind. This study investigated the relationship between self-compassion and social anxiety in adolescents. It also examined the mediating role of three cognitive mechanisms: fear of negative evaluation, self-focused attention, and cognitive avoidance.
Methods
A total of 316 adolescents (age 14-18, 54% male) recruited in Scotland, UK, completed 7 questionnaires.
Results
Self-compassion was inversely correlated with social anxiety with a large effect size (r = -.551). This was partially mediated by fear of negative evaluation and cognitive avoidance, but not self-focused attention. Self-compassion also predicted social anxiety above depression and anxiety symptoms.
Conclusions
Our findings suggested that self-compassion could be an important factor in the development of social anxiety, and hence therapeutic techniques targeting self-compassion could potentially be beneficial in preventing or treating adolescent social anxiety.
Methods
A total of 316 adolescents (age 14-18, 54% male) recruited in Scotland, UK, completed 7 questionnaires.
Results
Self-compassion was inversely correlated with social anxiety with a large effect size (r = -.551). This was partially mediated by fear of negative evaluation and cognitive avoidance, but not self-focused attention. Self-compassion also predicted social anxiety above depression and anxiety symptoms.
Conclusions
Our findings suggested that self-compassion could be an important factor in the development of social anxiety, and hence therapeutic techniques targeting self-compassion could potentially be beneficial in preventing or treating adolescent social anxiety.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 163-174 |
Journal | Journal of Adolescence |
Volume | 69 |
Early online date | 13 Oct 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2018 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- self-compassion
- social anxiety
- depression
- anxiety
- mood disorders
- adolescence