Child abuse and wellbeing : Examining the roles of self-compassion and fear of self

Journal article

Collins, Sharon, Orth, Tayla, Brunton, Robyn and Dryer, Rachel. (2023). Child abuse and wellbeing : Examining the roles of self-compassion and fear of self. Child Abuse and Neglect. 138, p. Article 106089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106089
AuthorsCollins, Sharon, Orth, Tayla, Brunton, Robyn and Dryer, Rachel
Abstract

Introduction
Childhood abuse is linked to poorer well-being, yet some survivors show no prolonged effect, suggesting multifinality. Men and women also differ in the experience and sequelae of abuse supporting gender-specific analyses. To assist in circumventing poor outcomes associated with child abuse, this study examined fear of self (FoS) and self-compassion (SC) as risk and protective factors between child abuse and well-being.

Method
Australian women (N = 1302, Mage = 47.28 [13.63]) completed an online assessment of childhood abuse, psychological distress, perceived quality of life, SC, FoS. Moderated-moderation examined the different abuses as predictors of psychological distress and quality of life (QoL) and FoS and SC as primary and secondary moderators, respectively.

Results
Physical abuse did not predict psychological distress or QoL. FoS and SC were independent predictors of distress and QoL. Similarly, childhood sexual abuse was not found to predict distress or QoL. FoS and SC were independent predictors of distress and QoL. There was also an interaction between childhood sexual abuse and SC in predicting QoL. A moderated-moderation was found for the relationship between child sexual abuse and distress. Psychological abuse predicted distress and QoL, and FoS and SC both moderated this relationship. Moreover, a moderated-moderation was observed for the relationship between psychological abuse and QoL.

Conclusions
Greater FoS is associated with poorer outcomes for child abuse survivors; SC may mitigate this impact. Psychological abuse was the strongest predictor of well-being. Interventions that increase SC and raise awareness of psychological abuse and its impacts are needed.

Keywordschild abuse; self-compassion; fear of self; psychological distress; perceived well-being
Year2023
JournalChild Abuse and Neglect
Journal citation138, p. Article 106089
PublisherElsevier Ltd
ISSN0145-2134
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106089
PubMed ID36764171
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85147684224
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range1-13
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online08 Feb 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted01 Feb 2023
Deposited14 Nov 2023
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