International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy
  

Volume 14 Num. 1 - March 2014

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Self-Compassion Mediates the Relationship between Parentalcriticism and Social Anxiety

Volume 14 Num. 1 - March 2014 - Pages 33-43

Authors:

Robert F Potter , Keong Yar , Andrew JP Francis , Sharynn Schuste

Abstract:

Psychological theories of social anxiety suggest that social anxiety is associated with parental criticism. The current study aimed to test this hypothesis and examine the possibility that different aspects of self-compassion (self-warmth and self-coldness) mediate the relationship between parental criticism and social anxiety. Participants from the general population (N= 211) completed an online survey that measured levels of parental criticism, self-compassion, and social anxiety. The results showed that parental criticism was positively correlated with social anxiety and self-coldness, while negatively correlated with self-warmth. Social anxiety was also positively correlated with self-coldness and negatively correlated with self-warmth. Finally, self-warmth and self-coldness completely mediated the relationship between parental criticism and social anxiety. The results provide evidence to suggest that parental criticism has an impact on social anxiety through its association with low self-compassion.

Key words:

Self-compassion; parentalcriticism; social anxiety

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