3 - (SYM 72) More Positivity, Less Avoidance: Impact of Self-compassion on Future Social Situations Among Individuals with Elevated Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is associated with diminished positive affect, and a lack of positivity in social settings is associated with greater fear and avoidance (Blanco & Joormann, 2017; Kashdan, 2007). Further, avoidance behavior is related to negative interpersonal interactions and lower social support (Plasencia et al., 2011). Self-compassion (elevated self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness; Neff, 2003) has shown benefits for reducing anxiety, distress, and negative affect for those with social anxiety (Arch et al., 2018; Harwood & Kocovski, 2017; Leary et al., 2007). In line with the conference theme “Cultivating Joy”, this study examines self-compassion as an intervention focused on improving well-being for those with social anxiety through increased positivity. The primary goal of the present study was to investigate whether reflecting on a previous distressing social situation with self-compassion could increase predicted positive affect for approaching a future social situation. University students with elevated social anxiety (N = 390) were randomly assigned to recall a previously distressing social situation either with self-compassion guidance or without. After, participants were asked to imagine a similar situation occurring in the future and report on their predicted distress, anxiety, and affect. Participants in the self-compassion condition reported significantly greater predicted positive affect regarding experiencing the future situation compared to those in the control condition (F(386) = 4.98, p</em> = .03, n² = .01). Positive affect also served as a mediator between self-compassion and avoidance safety behaviors (e.g., avoiding eye contact and/or speaking). Those in the self-compassion condition showed greater positive affect, and this increased positive affect was associated with lower predicted avoidance behavior for the future situation (CI_boot [.01, .62]). Results also replicated previous literature indicating self-compassion leads to lower predicted negative affect, distress, and anxiety. Overall, these results suggest that inducing self-compassion may be beneficial for increasing positive affect among socially anxious individuals which in turn may reduce avoidance of social situations.