Does Increased Self-Compassion Improve Social Anxiety Symptomology? Results from a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Social Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed whether a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) adapted for social anxiety disorder (SAD) led to increases in self-compassion and trait mindfulness, and whether these increases mediated change in SAD symptom severity. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to a 12-week MBI adapted for SAD (MBI-SAD, n = 21) or a wait-list control (WLC, n = 18). The MBI-SAD included aspects of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program, as well as explicit training in self-compassion and “mindful exposure”. Participants were assessed at baseline and weeks 6 and 12. Results: The MBI-SAD resulted in higher self-compassion and trait mindfulness and lower levels of social anxiety, compared to the WLC. Mediation analyses revealed that self-compassion and aspects of trait mindfulness mediated clinical response. Implications: Results suggest that self-compassion and aspects of trait mindfulness are possible mechanisms of change for the MBI-SAD. Results and their implications are discussed.