Behind women's body image-focused shame: Exploring the role of fears of compassion and self-criticism. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferreira, Cláudia; Dias, Bernardo; Oliveira, Sara
• Is Part Of: Eating behaviors. Volume 32(2019)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Body image shame -- Fears of compassion -- Self-criticism -- BMI -- Path analysis; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; Compulsive eating -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2018.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-0153

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Recent studies seem to support that being open to compassion from self and others is key for psychological and social well-being. In particular, findings indicated that fears of affiliative emotions are associated with negative affect and difficulties in threat regulation. The current study examined a path model which tested the direct and indirect effect of fears of compassion on both externalized and internalized body image-related shame, and the potential mediator role of self-criticism on these relationships. Methods: In this study participated 651 Portuguese women, aged between 18 and 55, from the general population who completed a set of self-report measures of fears of compassion, self-criticism, and body image-related shame. Results: The tested model accounted for 53% of externalized and 45% of internalized body image shame's variance and revealed an excellent fit. Findings corroborated the plausibility of the hypothesized model suggesting that fears of self-compassion and receiving compassion from others are positively associated with body image shame, and that self-criticism is a significant mediator of these associations, even when controlling for the effects of age and BMI. Conclusions: These findings highlight the relevance of addressing fears of compassion and critical forms of self-relating in the understanding and management of body image-related difficulties. This study seems to have important clinical implications by suggesting the pertinence of the cultivation of compassionate abilities and attitudes, as adaptive self-regulatory strategies to target body image difficulties. Highlights: The link between fears of caring and affiliative emotions and body shame was tested. Fears of compassion for self and from others are positively linked with body shame. Fears of affiliative experiences are associated with a negative self-relating style. Self-criticism mediated the link between fears of compassion and body image shame. Fears of compassion and self-criticism are relevant mechanisms to explain body shame.