Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Program Name/Specialization

Social Psychology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Dr. Nancy Kocovski

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Abstract

Being self-compassionate means treating oneself with kindness, being mindful of one’s thoughts and feelings, and understanding that everyone struggles. Although self-compassion has been found to be beneficial for individuals with high levels of social anxiety, few studies have compared a self-compassion intervention to another adaptive strategy. As such, the aim of the present research was to compare a self-compassion induction to another beneficial strategy to aid those with elevated social anxiety to cope with social stressors, and to examine the impact on several novel outcomes including shame and post-event processing. Additionally, we examined if the fear of self-compassion may serve as a barrier, limiting the benefits of self-compassion. In four studies, socially anxious participants were randomly assigned to either a self-compassion, cognitive reappraisal or control writing intervention to cope with a stressful social situation. Study 1 (N = 323) replicated past research using a sample of socially anxious students. We found that after recalling a past social situation, those in the self-compassion and cognitive reappraisal conditions reported significantly higher self-compassion and cognitive reappraisal, as well as lower distress compared to the control condition. Study 2 (N = 306) was similar to Study 1; however, we also examined the role fear of self-compassion may have on the effectiveness of a self-compassion intervention, as well as two novel outcomes: shame and post-event processing. Distress immediately after the writing and at the end of the study were significantly lower in the self-compassion condition compared to control. Anxiety, reappraisal, self-compassion and shame were significantly lower in the self-compassion and cognitive reappraisal conditions compared to control, but fear of self-compassion did not moderate these effects. Study 3 (N =155) expanded on these two online studies by having participants attend an in-person study where they anticipated giving a speech. Only those in the cognitive reappraisal condition reported significantly lower distress immediately after the induction when compared to control. Additionally, state self-compassion only differed between the cognitive reappraisal and control conditions at low levels of fear of self-compassion. Finally, Study 4 (N = 183) explored the potential benefits of self-compassion and cognitive reappraisal after receiving negative feedback following the delivery of a speech. Contrary to our hypotheses, conditions did not differ significantly on any of the dependent measures and the fear of self-compassion did not moderate the relationship between condition and state self-compassion, post-event processing, or shame. Overall, these studies highlight the possible benefits of self-compassion for social stressors and if the fear of self-compassion undermines these benefits.

Convocation Year

2026

Convocation Season

Fall

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Available for download on Tuesday, August 17, 2027

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