This study investigates the impact of self-compassion on stress responses
indicated by complex posttraumatic stress symptoms (CPTSS) and
posttraumatic growth (PTG) among individuals with interpersonal trauma when
facing interpersonal stress. Specifically, the research has three aims: 1) to
examine how trait self-compassion influences stress responses following
interpersonal stress induction; 2) to investigate the impact of state selfcompassion
on stress responses; 3) to assess how changes in state selfcompassion
affect CPTSS and PTG through the mediation of basic
psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS). 159 valid participants (Mage = 23.36,
SD = 4.35; 91 females, 57.2%) completed baseline measurements assessing
both the trait and state levels of the studied variables. They then viewed a
series of images of ostracism to induce interpersonal stress. Following this,
participants were randomly assigned to either a self-compassion writing
intervention group (n = 80) or a neutral writing control group (n = 79). State
levels of self-compassion, BPNS, CPTSS, and PTG were measured after these
two manipulations. Results showed that after adjusting for baseline CPTSS, trait
self-compassion negatively predicted CPTSS following interpersonal stress
induction. Trait self-compassion inversely predicted state PTG following
interpersonal stress. The self-compassion writing intervention successfully
increased state self-compassion, reduced state CPTSS, and enhanced PTG.
Changes in self-compassion directly influenced changes in CPTSS and PTG, as
well as indirectly through BPNS. This study suggests that both trait and state
self-compassion play crucial roles in reducing CPTSS. The differing directions
of influence between trait and state self-compassion on PTG following
interpersonal stress or self-compassion intervention indicate that PTG may
involve more complex cognitive processing. The mediation effect of BPNS
demonstrates its importance. These findings provide important empirical
support for the application of self-compassion interventions in managing
posttraumatic stress and promoting growth following interpersonal trauma