How Is Self-Compassion Associated with Prolonged Grief and Posttraumatic Stress After Bereavement? The Mediating Roles of Perceived Stigma and Anger

Abstract

Background: Self-compassion is negatively associated with stress-related psychopathological symptoms in the grieving process, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study examined the mediating role of perceived stigma and anger in the relationship between self-compassion and symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among bereaved individuals. Methods: A total of 289 Chinese bereaved adults (70.2% women; Mage = 42.27 years) completed an online survey assessing demographics, loss-related information, self-compassion, perceived stigma, self-directed and other-directed anger, and PGD and PTSD symptoms. Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted. Results: Self-compassion was negatively associated with both PGD and PTSD symptoms. Perceived stigma and anger indirectly linked these associations, yet pathways differed regarding anger. Self-compassion was negatively associated with PGD symptoms via self-directed anger, and also indirectly via perceived stigma and self-directed anger. In contrast, self-compassion was negatively associated with PTSD symptoms via other-directed anger, and also indirectly via perceived stigma and other-directed anger. Conclusions: Self-directed and other-directed anger play distinct roles linking self-compassion to psychopathological symptoms among bereaved individuals. Cultivating self-compassion may support bereavement adjustment by reducing perceived stigma and anger, and interventions should target specific types of anger based on symptom profiles.