Healing Through Self After Harm by Others: The Associations Between Self-Compassion, Trauma-Related Shame, and Physical Health

Abstract

Those who have experienced interpersonal violence are at an increased risk for a variety of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. As such, it is imperative that research look for ways to offset some of these adverse outcomes. Current studies suggest that self-compassion may help reduce the adverse physical health effects associated with interpersonal violence, including trauma-related shame specifically. The current study explored the associations between self-compassion, trauma-related shame, and physical health outcomes among those who have experienced interpersonal violence. In particular, this study aimed to address the following research questions: (a) How is trauma-related shame associated with physical health in survivors of interpersonal violence? And (b) How is self-compassion related to physical health, even when accounting for trauma-related shame in survivors of interpersonal violence? An online survey via Qualtrics was given to 179 participants to assess the variables of interest: trauma-related shame, self-compassion, and physical health. A hierarchical linear regression was conducted, and the results indicated that self-compassion and trauma-related shame, when taken together, predicted self-reported physical health outcomes. In addition, when tested separately, both trauma-related shame and self-compassion still predicted physical health outcomes. These results provide some support for addressing trauma-related shame and self-compassion in the treatment of those who have experienced interpersonal violence, particularly as a means of addressing physical health concerns. Further research is needed to explore the temporal relationship between the variables of interest, but the current study offers evidence of the benefits of reducing trauma-related shame and increasing self-compassion for those who have experienced interpersonal violence.