Examination of the relationship between fears of compassion and anxiety in adults

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to examine whether adults' trait anxiety, state anxiety, and gender together predict the fears of compassion (fear of compassion for others, fear of compassion from others, and fear of self-compassion). Besides, in this study, it was aimed to examine whether fears of compassion differ significantly according to trait anxiety levels (low, medium and high). The study group consisted of 437 (241 female and 196 male) adults. Data were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Scale, the Fears of Compassion Scale, and the Personal Information Form. Data were analyzed using Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Research findings of this study shows that adults' trait anxiety, state anxiety, and gender together predicts the 18% of the total variance in fear of compassion to others, 15% of total variance in fear of compassion from others, and 16% of total variance in fear of self-compassion. In addition, this study shows that while adults' anxiety levels (high, medium, and low) decrease, their fears of compassion decreases. The findings are discussed based on the relevant literature. The limitations of the research and suggestions for future theoretical and practical research are presented.