Can Compassion Diminish the Effect of Negative Thoughts? the Moderator Role of Self-Compassion Between Repetitive Negative Thinking and Psychological Symptoms

This study aimed to explore the relationship between repetitive negative thinking (RNT) and general psychological symptoms while investigating the moderating role of self-compassion. A sample of 776 non-clinical individuals participated in the study. Participants completed measures assessing RNT, self-compassion, and general psychological symptoms. Moderation analysis revealed a significant interaction effect, indicating that self-compassion moderated the relationship between RNT and general symptoms. Specifically, higher levels of self-compassion weakened the association between RNT and symptoms. This finding underlines the importance of interventions targeting self-compassion to mitigate the adverse effects of RNT on overall psychological well-being. Moreover, emphasizing RNT’s transdiagnostic nature underscores its relevance across various psychological disorders. Implications for clinical practice and interventions aimed at targeting RNT and fostering self-compassion are discussed.