17108R3m-6 Fear of Self-Compassion Mediates Insecure Attachment and Distress in Malaysian Youth: Gender as Moderator

Abstract

This study investigated whether fear of self-compassion mediates the relationship between insecure attachment and psychological distress among Malaysian young adults, and whether gender moderates these associations. The objective was to examine fear of self-compassion as an underlying psychological mechanism linking attachment insecurity to mental health outcomes, and to explore gender-based variations in this process. Fear of self-compassion has been associated with insecure attachment, particularly anxious and avoidant styles, stemming from early adverse experiences and feelings of unworthiness. It is also linked to heightened psychological distress, although such associations may vary across clinical and cultural contexts. A total of 272 purposively selected participants (136 males, 136 females), aged 15 to 40 years, completed the Attachment Style Questionnaire–Short Form, the Fear of Compassion Scale–Self-Compassion, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale–10. Due to violations of normality, nonparametric analyses and mediation models using the PROCESS macro were employed. Insecure attachment was positively correlated with fear of self-compassion (ρ = .33, p < .001), aligning with theoretical expectations. However, fear of self-compassion (ρ = –.53, p < .001) and insecure attachment (ρ = –.39, p < .001) were negatively correlated with psychological distress, findings that diverged from theoretical assumptions. These unexpected patterns may reflect sociocultural factors influencing emotional expression and help-seeking behaviours, including a tendency to minimize distress or internalize symptoms in self-reporting. Mediation analysis revealed that fear of self-compassion partially mediated the insecure attachment–distress link (b = –0.14, 95% CI [–0.21, –0.08]). Gender significantly moderated both pathways, with stronger effects observed among females, further supporting gender-sensitive interventions in Malaysia.