Self-differentiation and self-concealment: serial mediation by self-compassion and intolerance of uncertainty

ABSTRACT Objectives Self-concealment is an important issue that hinders progress in the psychological help process. Considering its negative consequences in the field of mental health, it is important to address its relationship with risk factors and protective factors. Therefore, the present study examined whether self-differentiation was related to self-concealment and whether this relationship was mediated by self-compassion and intolerance of uncertainty. Method The participants in this study consisted of 300 university students, 183 females and 117 males, whose ages ranged between 18 and 42. All measurement tools used in the research were applied anonymously. Results Meditation analysis results showed that in the hypothetical model, serial multiple mediation of self-compassion and intolerance of uncertainty is statistically significant and explains 37% of the variance in self-concealment. In addition, the single mediation effect of self-compassion was found to be higher than the multiple-serial mediation effect of self-compassion and intolerance of uncertainty together. The findings were discussed in the light of the literature. Conclusions This study may be a resource to the mental health professionals at the stage of planning protective and preventive intervention studies. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: Self-concealment is an important problem that prevents developing healthy interpersonal relationships or finding solutions to mental problems. Educational and developmental psychologists try to understand the risk factors and protective factors of self-concealment. It is hoped that understanding the risks and protective factors of self-concealment will result in more positive mental health indicators by providing self-awareness for those suffering from this issue and guiding intervention work for mental health professionals. What this topic adds: In this study, self-differentiation from Bowen family therapy and self-compassion from the Buddhist tradition are considered as protective factors of self-concealment as concepts that include positive attitudes towards help seeking. This research is original in that it is the first study that takes these three variables together and examines the mediation of self-compassion in the relationship between self-differentiation and self-concealment. Intolerance of uncertainty, which goes with the cycle of self-critical thinking may be as a risk factor for self-concealment, this is the first study to examine its mediating role in the relationship between self-differentiation and self-concealment.