Understanding and Intervening With State Shame and Self-criticism

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the momentary effects of a one-session intervention (compassion-based, logic-based, or placebo control) on individuals with high or low trait self-criticism. The main questions it aims to answer are: After a momentary shame induction, will a compassion-based intervention and a logic-based intervention both be more beneficial than a placebo control condition in terms of therapeutic outcomes? Will the compassion-based intervention most effectively increase soothing affect, state self-compassion, and state self-reassurance? Will the effects of these two interventions (1) differ as a function of the individual's trait self-criticism, and (2) will this be due to differing indirect effects of the intervention on safe/soothed feelings based on trait self-criticism? Participants will first complete a set of baseline measures. Two to seven days later, they will be randomly assigned to one of three study conditions (i.e., compassion-based, logic-based, placebo control) after a brief shame induction. Participants will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires both before and after the shame induction as well as post-intervention. This research will help us understand how best to intervene with the shame and self-criticism.