Volume 13, Issue 4 (Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026)
Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry 2026, 13(4): 540-553 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Yarmohamadi Vasel S, Gilandoust A, Mohagheghi H, Zoghi Paydar M R, Yavari A. Developing a Structural Model of Fear of Compassion Based on Childhood Trauma: The Mediating Roles of Self-Disgust, Guilt, and Shame. , Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry. 2026; 13 (4) :540-553
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2791-en.html
URL: http://shenakht.muk.ac.ir/article-1-2791-en.html
Shahryar Yarmohamadi Vasel *1 
, Azin Gilandoust2 , Hossein Mohagheghi3 , Mohammad Reza Zoghi Paydar3 , Amirhossein Yavari4
, Azin Gilandoust2 , Hossein Mohagheghi3 , Mohammad Reza Zoghi Paydar3 , Amirhossein Yavari4
1- Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran , yarmohamadivasel@basu.ac.ir
2- Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
3- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Ha. C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
2- Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
3- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Ha. C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
Abstract: (36 Views)
Background and Aims: Fear of compassion is one of the factors influencing mental health and may have negative consequences for individuals’ social relationships. The present study aimed to examine a structural model of fear of compassion based on childhood trauma, with the mediating roles of self-disgust, guilt, and shame.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive–correlational study used structural equation modeling (SEM). The study population comprised all university students in Hamadan during the 2024–2025 academic year. Among them, 300 students (238 female and 62 male), with mean ± SD ages of 25.27 ± 6.46 and 23.65 ± 5.07 years for men and women, respectively, were selected as the study sample using convenience sampling. Research instruments included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Fear of Compassion Scale, the Multidimensional Self-disgust Scale, and the Shame and Guilt Proneness Scale. Data were analyzed using regression analysis, structural equation modeling, and bootstrapping procedures with SPSS software (version 27) and LISREL version 20.10.
Results: Childhood trauma had significant positive direct effects on shame and guilt proneness (β = 0.28, p < 0.01) and self-disgust (β = 0.57, p < 0.01); however, the direct effect of childhood trauma on fear of compassion was not significant (β = 0.09, p > 0.05). Furthermore, the results indicated that guilt and shame proneness (β = 0.42, p < 0.01) and self-disgust (β = 0.50, p < 0.01) had significant positive direct effects on fear of compassion.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that shame, guilt, and self-disgust may increase individuals’ vulnerability to the fear of compassion. Therefore, therapists are encouraged to consider reducing feelings of guilt, shame, and self-hatred as important therapeutic targets when implementing compassion-focused interventions. Accordingly, incorporating clinical interventions aimed at reducing these factors may contribute to alleviating the fear of compassion
Materials and Methods: This descriptive–correlational study used structural equation modeling (SEM). The study population comprised all university students in Hamadan during the 2024–2025 academic year. Among them, 300 students (238 female and 62 male), with mean ± SD ages of 25.27 ± 6.46 and 23.65 ± 5.07 years for men and women, respectively, were selected as the study sample using convenience sampling. Research instruments included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Fear of Compassion Scale, the Multidimensional Self-disgust Scale, and the Shame and Guilt Proneness Scale. Data were analyzed using regression analysis, structural equation modeling, and bootstrapping procedures with SPSS software (version 27) and LISREL version 20.10.
Results: Childhood trauma had significant positive direct effects on shame and guilt proneness (β = 0.28, p < 0.01) and self-disgust (β = 0.57, p < 0.01); however, the direct effect of childhood trauma on fear of compassion was not significant (β = 0.09, p > 0.05). Furthermore, the results indicated that guilt and shame proneness (β = 0.42, p < 0.01) and self-disgust (β = 0.50, p < 0.01) had significant positive direct effects on fear of compassion.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that shame, guilt, and self-disgust may increase individuals’ vulnerability to the fear of compassion. Therefore, therapists are encouraged to consider reducing feelings of guilt, shame, and self-hatred as important therapeutic targets when implementing compassion-focused interventions. Accordingly, incorporating clinical interventions aimed at reducing these factors may contribute to alleviating the fear of compassion
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/02/2 | Accepted: 2026/09/21 | Published: 2026/11/10
Received: 2026/02/2 | Accepted: 2026/09/21 | Published: 2026/11/10
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
