title: Self-compassion and PTSD symptom severity.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA. brian.l.thompson@gmail.com
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waltz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult