Fear of receiving compassion from others moderates the association between self-compassion and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer

Abstract Background: Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer among women in Portugal, significantly affects both physical and psychological well-being. Recent research has emphasized the beneficial effects of self-compassion and the consequences that fear of receiving compassion has on mental health. This study examined fear of receiving compassion from others as a moderator of the relationships of self-compassion with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Methods: Portuguese women (N = 78) with nonmetastatic breast cancer completed self-report measures of interest (depression, anxiety, stress, and self-compassion). Data were analyzed using the PROCESS macro for moderation analysis. Results: The relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms was influenced by fear of receiving compassion from others. This relationship was statistically significant when the fear was moderate or high, but it was not statistically significant when the fear was low. The relationships between self-compassion and both anxiety and stress were not affected by fear of receiving compassion from others. Conclusions: This is the first study to explore fear of receiving compassion from others as a moderating factor of the relationship between self-compassion and psychological distress in women with breast cancer. More longitudinal, compassion-based intervention studies targeting fear of receiving compassion, as well as qualitative studies of patients' experiences of self-compassion, fear of compassion, and compassion-based interventions, should be conducted.