Premium
Self‐compassion and PTSD symptom severity
Author(s) -
Thompson Brian L.,
Waltz Jennifer
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20374
Subject(s) - psychology , self compassion , self criticism , clinical psychology , feeling , mindfulness , distress , fight or flight response , psychotherapist , social psychology , chemistry , gene , biochemistry
Neff's (2003a, 2003b) notion of self‐compassion emphasizes kindness towards one's self, a feeling of connectedness with others, and mindful awareness of distressing experiences. Because exposure to trauma and subsequent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PSS) may be associated with self‐criticism and avoidance of internal experiences, the authors examined the relationship between self‐compassion and PSS. Out of a sample of 210 university students, 100 endorsed experiencing a Criterion A trauma. Avoidance symptoms significantly correlated with self‐compassion, but reexperiencing and hyperarousal did not. Individuals high in self‐compassion may engage in less avoidance strategies following trauma exposure, allowing for a natural exposure process.