Objectives <p>This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived social support and anxiety among mothers of infants. Further, it explored the mediating and moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perceived social support and anxiety among mothers of infants.</p> Methods <p>Using a convenience sampling approach recruited 272 mothers of infants. They completed a set of surveys evaluating demographic characteristics, perceived social support, self-compassion and anxiety.</p> Results <p>Correlation analysis revealed that both perceived social support and self-compassion were negatively correlated with anxiety, while perceived social support was positively correlated with self-compassion. Path analysis results showed a negative association between perceived social support and anxiety. Additionally, self-compassion played a mediating role between perceived social support and anxiety, while also playing a potential moderating effect within this pathway.</p> Conclusions <p>Perceived social support could negatively effect on anxiety in mothers of infants through the mediating role of self-compassion. Compared to mothers with low self-compassion, mothers with high self-compassion showed a reduced negative effect of perceived social support on anxiety. This study revealed the relationship between perceived social support and anxiety, along with the mediating and potential moderating mechanisms of self-compassion, which provided theoretical and practical insights for alleviating anxiety in mothers of infants.</p>