Abstract
Objective
The cognitive behavior model of voice hearing suggests individuals who have lower self‐esteem, perceive themselves to be of low social rank, and hold negative beliefs about their voices, are more distressed by their voices. Self‐compassion may help reduce voice‐related distress through the activation of positive self and social mentalities. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of self‐compassion in variables within the cognitive behavior model.
Method
Measures assessing self‐compassion, negative affect, self‐esteem, voice malevolence, omnipotence, and distress were administered to a sample of clinical voice hearers (N = 53).
Results
Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted. Higher self‐compassion was associated with lower negative affect, voice malevolence, omnipotence, and distress. Voice malevolence was found to mediate the relationship between self‐compassion and voice distress. Self‐compassion was a stronger predictor of these constructs than self‐esteem.
Conclusion
Improving self‐compassion may have significant clinical benefits in reducing voice‐related distress.