Fear of compassion is associated with treatment ambivalence and negative expectations for treatment in people with anxiety
Abstract
Objectives: Fears of compassion are hypothesized to be associated with treatment attitudes, but this relationship has not yet been explored. Methods: Measures of fear of compassion and treatment expectations and ambivalence were administered to those with above‐average anxiety ( N = 302) and those who met criteria for an anxiety or related disorder ( N = 40). Results: In those with anxiety disorders, fear of receiving compassion and fear of self‐compassion were strongly correlated with treatment ambivalence. In both samples, higher fear of receiving compassion was associated with more negative expectations for treatment. Conclusions: Fear of compassion is associated with treatment ambivalence and treatment expectations and may be an important target early in treatment. Practitioner Points: Fears of receiving compassion and self‐compassion were related to treatment ambivalence and negative treatment expectations There may be benefit in targeting fear of compassion early in treatment
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FOC is associated with treatment ambivalence and negative treatment expectations.
“we know that FOC is associated with treatment ambivalence and negative treatment expectations (Merritt & Purdon, 2021).”
From A preliminary investigation of the relationships between attachment insecurity, fear of compassion, and <scp>OCD</scp> severity (2025) · cites this paper as Merritt & Purdon, 2021
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Cites
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“For example, we know that FOC is associated with treatment ambivalence and negative treatment expectations (Merritt & Purdon, 2021).”
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“Additionally, these findings may help college counseling clinicians identify which clients may demonstrate ambivalence and negative expectations for treatment (Merrit & Purdon, 2021) and initiate early discussion about expectations and potential barriers to treatment.”
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“Another research has also pointed out that compassionless also plays a significant role in common psychological disorders such as anxiety, especially the negative part, which is not conducive to the complete of psychological counseling and diagnosis and treatment services [12].”
- Authors
- Merritt, O. A., & Purdon, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Waterloo (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Merritt, Olivia A.
- Venue
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2021-06-12
- Volume
- 60
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 546-555
- ISSN
- 0144-6657 (ISSN-L)
- 2044-8260
- OpenAlex
- W3166801878
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2
- FWCI
- 0.97
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UWSpace (University of Waterloo) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- fear of compassion, self-compassion, treatment expectations, anxiety disorders, treatment attitudes, early intervention
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Empathy, Fear, Humans, Motivation
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