The relationship between internalized shame and relationship addiction in University (Graduate) Students: self-compassion and distress tolerance as sequential mediators

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the sequential mediating effects of self-compassion and distress tolerance on the relationship between internalized shame and relationship addiction in university (graduate) students. Methods For this study, a total of 422 university and graduate students who aged 18 to 34 had been surveyed to assess Internalized shame, self-compassion, distress tolerance, relationship addiction. The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 23.0 and PROCESS Macro 4.1 to verify the descriptive statistics, correlation, mediating effect, and sequential mediating effect among variables. Results First, the results showed a significant correlations among variables. Second, the association between internalized shame and relationship addiction was partially mediated by distress tolerance, whereas the indirect effects of internalized shame on relationship addiction via self-compassion was not significant. Third, the association between internalized shame and relationship addiction was sequentially mediated by self-compassion and distress tolerance. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the higher the internalized shame, the lower the self-compassion and the lower pain tolerance, which can lead to relationship addiction. This is significant in that it reveals the psychological mechanisms of individuals who are addicted to the relationship experience itself and reveals the protective factors and mechanisms that can alleviate relationship addiction.