Be kind, don't rewind: trait rumination may hinder the effects of self-compassion on health behavioral intentions after a body image threat

Abstract

Many individuals encounter situations that may elicit body-related concerns and impact how they think and feel about their weight, daily habits, and physical attractiveness. Research shows body image threats can predict poor health behaviors, but approaching those difficult moments with self-compassion-being kind, forgiving, and nonjudgmental-may reduce the impact of that threat and promote engagement in positive health behaviors. However, trait rumination, or tending to perseverate on negative events, may both dampen the benefits of a self-compassionate state and predict poor health behaviors. The present study examined whether a brief self-compassion writing exercise, after recalling a negative body-related event, predicted intent to perform health-promoting behaviors, and whether trait rumination attenuated this relationship. Participants (N = 217) completed a measure of trait rumination, underwent a body image threat, and were randomly assigned to cope with self-compassion or a distraction. Subsequently, participants completed a measure of health behavioral intentions. Analyses revealed participants in the self-compassion condition reported greater health-promoting behavioral intentions compared to control, with no significant main effect of trait rumination. However, a condition-by-rumination interaction emerged, suggesting the self-compassion condition was associated with higher health behavioral intentions, but only for participants with low trait rumination levels. These effects washed out when controlling for participants' self-rated health. The findings suggest that a self-compassion practice can help mitigate the adverse effects of a body image threat and facilitate health-promoting behavioral intentions, although its efficacy may depend on individual levels of trait rumination and perceived health.

Keywords: Body image threat; Health behavioral intentions; Rumination; Self-compassion; Self-rated health.