Self-stigma and cognitive fusion in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. The moderating role of self-compassion

Abstract

Background Research shows that people with autism spectrum disorder and their families often experience social stigma. The internalization of social stigma can lead to the occurrence of self-stigma, understood as an internalized cognitive-affective self-directed and rigid process that results in individuals agreeing with stigmatizing opinions and applying them to themselves. Experiencing self-stigma can lead to a cognitive fusion with negative thoughts–especially those about oneself. Previous studies show that self-compassion reduces feelings of suffering, shame and self-stigma in a group of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this study was to test the relationship between self-stigma and cognitive fusion among parents of children with ASD. The moderating role of self-compassion as a protective factor was also verified. Methods The following questionnaires were used: Perceived Public Stigma Scale, Perceived Courtesy Stigma Scale, Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. The study included 233 Polish parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (including 218 women). Results The results showed a positive correlation between fusion and both affiliate (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and public stigma (r = 0.33, p < 0.001). Fusion and self-compassion were significant predictors of affiliate stigma. Self-compassion moderated the relationship between fusion and depression (β = −0.11, p < 0.05) and the relationship between fusion and stress (β = −0.11, p < 0.05). Cognitive fusion with negative beliefs about oneself can contribute to self-stigma. Defusion-oriented actions are an opportunity to distance oneself from emerging thoughts and eliminate their negative consequences. Self-compassion manifests itself in a compassionate and accepting attitude towards oneself and improves the individual’s well-being. Actions taken to strengthen the indicated factors could contribute to a better quality of life of parents of children with ASD.

Self-stigma predicts post-traumatic and depressive symptoms in traumatized individuals seeking interventions for dissociative symptoms: a preliminary investigation

“…Thus, the potential mediating and moderating mechanisms behind these associations in people seeking trauma care services also require further investigation to understand how to better address the potential impacts of self-stigma. For example, a previous study found that self-compassion may buffer the effects of self-stigma on cognitive fusion (Pyszkowska et al, 2021 ). The psychoeducation programme in the present project (the evaluation results have been reported elsewhere (Fung, 2021 ; Fung, Chan, et al, 2022 ) as well as in the Supplementary Table S3) might also be a promising way to address self-stigma in trauma survivors, as the levels of self-stigma reduced after the intervention.…”

Stigma perceived by mothers of children with congenital Zika virus syndrome

“…Ao mesmo tempo, técnicas cognitivo-comportamentais como a autocompaixão desenvolvem efeitos protetivos à saúde mental e devem ser incentivadas ao cuidado das mães de crianças com SCZ. A autocompaixão implica em olhar atento para consigo mesmo, reconhecendo suas limitações enquanto condição humana, aprendendo a conviver com as dificuldades e manuseando práticas bondosas para si (22) . Cabe as Enfermeiras planejar cuidados que integrem as três propriedades da autocompaixão: bondade própria, humanidade comum e atenção plena.…”

Stigma and emotional distress in Chinese mental health professionals: Moderating role of cognitive fusion.

“…These MHPs can then have greater choice of action. Although cognitive fusion was found to be associated with affiliate stigma and depression in parents having children with autism spectrum disorder (Pyszkowska et al, 2021), further research is needed to determine its relevance in MHPs and its function in the process of internalizing occupational stigma. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the role of cognitive fusion in modifying the effect of affiliate stigma on occupational stigma and emotional distress in MHPs.…”