Fears of compassion differentially relate to recognition of positive emotions in others after inductions of loving-kindness or muscle relaxation: a study among highly socially anxious young adults.
Cognition & Emotion June 1, 2026 Ashley N Howell, Audrey Darnbush
Among highly socially anxious young adults, higher fears of compassion were linked to poorer recognition of others' positive emotions after a brief relaxation exercise, but to better recognition after a brief loving-kindness meditation. No such interaction appeared for negative emotion recognition. Greater fear of expressing compassion was associated with more frequent negative labeling of positive emotional stimuli in the relaxation group, whereas this relation was virtually absent in the loving-kindness group. Loving-kindness inductions may temporarily reduce negative interpretation biases and improve perception of positive social signals in socially anxious individuals, especially those with heightened fears of compassion.