Is low self-compassion characteristic of ICD-11 complex PTSD? Further investigation using cross-cultural samples

Abstract

Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, persistent, and disabling trauma disorder newly recognized in ICD-11. Some recent studies suggested that complex PTSD symptoms are negatively associated with self-compassion. This cross-regional study further examined whether low self-compassion would be characteristic of individuals with ICD-11 complex PTSD across cultures. An international sample of 995 female mental health service users completed validated measures of childhood trauma, complex PTSD, and self-compassion (22.7 % came from Western countries, 77.3 % from non-Western countries [mainly Asian countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Philippines]). One-way ANCOVA showed that, compared with participants with and without PTSD, participants with complex PTSD reported the lowest levels of self-compassion, after controlling for the effects of childhood trauma. The results are consistent in both Western and non-Western samples. This study shows that individuals with probable ICD-11 complex PTSD are characterized by low levels of self-compassion across cultures. Interventions targeting self-compassion should be integrated into the prevention and treatment of ICD-11 complex PTSD.