SELF-COMPASSION, THE SILVER BULLET TO RELATIONSHIP-DEPENDENT FEELINGS?: SELF-COMPASSION BUFFERS THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SELF-REFERENTIAL PROCESSING ON MOOD

Abstract

Negative biases in self-referential processing (SRP) is an important predictor of mood symptoms. Additionally, social environment is critical in the construal of self. Yet, there remains a gap in clarifying the role of social influence in the above relationship. The present study aims to examine the effects of relationship context on SRP, assess the proposed moderating role of self-compassion (N = 170) and determine the efficacy of self-compassion intervention in addressing SRP and emotional biases in a follow-up study (N = 51). Self- and other-referential processing tasks across relational contexts were utilized. Results indicated reduced negative self-reference when with positive others and reduced positive self-reference with negative others, when compared to SRP in non-relational context. Greater dependence on others for healthy sense of self predicted lower mood and self-compassion buffered the effect. However, the self- compassion intervention effectiveness in mitigating SRP and emotional biases was inconclusive. Methodological limitations of the intervention were discussed. This study provides the first empirical evidence between relational self-referential biases and mood, and it highlighted the importance of social environment. Self-compassion emerged as a potential buffer against the impact of negative SRP on mood, although future work is required to ascertain its effectiveness as an intervention.