Studying the Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion in the Relationship between Traumatic Memories of Shame and Severity of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

 The objective of the current study was to further explore the mediating role of psychological flexibility and self-compassion in the relationship between traumatic memories of shame and the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. The psychological processes that may have an impact on this connection make it difficult to understand.

 The research method was structural equation modeling. A sample of 296 university students from Tehran, Iran, was chosen through random cluster sampling for online research. The study data collection tools included the Early Life Experiences Scale (ELES), Impact of ‎Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), Cognitive Fusion ‎Questionnaire (CFQ), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Self ‎Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ‎), and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS).‎ Based on the partial least squares (PLS) approach, structural equation modeling, SPSS, and SmartPLS‎ software were used to evaluate the generated data. A statistical investigation revealed a clear correlation between the intensity of depression and anxiety symptoms and painful recollections of shame.

 The results showed that traumatic memories of shame had a significantly favorable impact on anxiety (P < 0.001; β = 0.30) and depression (P < 0.001; β = 0.33), and a significantly negative impact on self-compassion (P < 0.001; β = 0.31) and psychological flexibility (P < 0.001; β = 0.47). Self-compassion significantly decreased sadness and anxiety (P < 0.001; = 0.25), and psychological flexibility significantly decreased sadness (P < 0.001; =0.54) and anxiety (P < 0.001; =0.37).

 These results suggest that the effects of experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, and self-conceptualization, which together make up the overall construct of psychological resilience and are linked to the aggravation of depression and anxiety symptoms in people with traumatic shame memories, may be significantly reduced by self-compassion.