Abuse, invalidation, and lack of early warmth show distinct relationships with self‐criticism, self‐compassion, and fear of self‐compassion in personality disorder

Abstract

Background Cultivating self‐compassion is increasingly recognized as a powerful method to regulate hyperactive threat processes such as shame and self‐criticism, but fear of self‐compassion (FSC) can inhibit this. These difficulties are underexplored in personality disorder (PD) despite their prevalence. Furthermore, little evidence exists regarding how these factors relate to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and attachment. Method Fifty‐three participants with a diagnosis of PD completed measures including childhood abuse/neglect, invalidation, early warmth, self‐compassion, shame, self‐criticism, FSC, and anxious/avoidant attachment. Results Self‐compassion was predicted uniquely by low early warmth; self‐inadequacy by invalidation and abuse; and FSC by multiple ACEs. FSC and self‐compassion were significantly correlated with self‐criticism and shame, but not with one another. Conclusions Low self‐compassion and high FSC appear to be distinct problems, substantiating physiological models proposing distinct threat and soothing systems. Results are consistent with theories positing that low self‐compassion has distinct origins to shame, self‐criticism, and FSC.

Self-compassion and Perceived Criticism in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

“…These findings are consistent with qualitative research and anecdotal accounts of the experiences of criticism in adults and children with ADHD (Brooks 2002;Singh et al 2010). It also extends on existing quantitative research that used vignettes and expressed emotion to capture criticism from others (Musser et al 2016;Psychogiou et al 2007), by demonstrating that people with ADHD also perceive the criticism from others. Consequently, the current findings provide further evidence, from the perspective of those with ADHD, that people with ADHD have more experiences of criticism.…”

“…Criticism from others may also influence levels of selfcompassion in people with ADHD by contributing a fear of compassion. Although traditionally discussed under Paul Gilberts conceptualisation of self-compassion, which views self-compassion as part of the broader concept of compassion (Gilbert 2014), there is evidence that fear of compassion acts as an inhibitor that prevents people engaging in compassionate behaviours towards the self and others (Naismith et al 2019). Fears of compassion have been argued to manifest from developing an insecure relationship with caregivers following the lack of supportive and affectionate parental behaviours and/or from classical conditioning of negative outcomes to positive emotions (Gilbert 2014).…”

“…Fears of compassion have been argued to manifest from developing an insecure relationship with caregivers following the lack of supportive and affectionate parental behaviours and/or from classical conditioning of negative outcomes to positive emotions (Gilbert 2014). Individuals consequently perceive kindness and compassion from others or the self as a potential threat that prevents people from engaging in selfcompassion (Naismith et al 2019). This offers a further potential explanation for the reduced self-compassion in people with ADHD, as experiences of hostility towards symptoms of ADHD, such as being loud, excitable or emotionally reactive, may subsequently be associated with caregivers, which in turn may result in care being associated with punishment and subsequently lead to fear of care or compassion (Kirby 2020).…”

A thematic analysis of compassion‐focused imagery for people with personality disorder: Inhibitors, facilitators and clinical recommendations

“…Participants reporting a Lack of relational templates (3a) were uncertain "what compassion looks like." This reflects findings that low self-compassion and self-reassurance are uniquely predicted by lack of warmth in childhood rather than maltreatment or invalidation Kelly & Dupasquier, 2016;Naismith, Zarate-Guerrero, & Feigenbaum, 2019;Richter, Gilbert, & McEwan, 2009). Other client groups report that the therapeutic relationship helps by modelling compassion (Lawrence & Lee, 2014;McLean et al, 2018).…”

“…To avoid negative reactions, therapists should assess for inhibitors of compassion and where possible, address them prior to introducing CFI. Validated measures of social safeness and self-reassurance may be useful since these have been significantly negatively associated with response to CFI (Naismith, Zarate-Guerrero et al, 2019;Rockliff et al, 2008). High self-criticism is associated with response to CFI in some studies, but not after controlling for self-reassurance, so may be less important (Naismith, Duran Ferro, et al, 2019).…”