Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Compassion for self'
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LaDuke, Sheri L., and Stacey L. Williams. "Stigma, Compassion, Self-Compassion, and Distress." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2015. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/8075.
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Stigma is an individual’s devalued identity or other characteristic that may lead to stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Decades of literature show that experiencing stigma has negative effects on mental health outcomes. However, some research suggests that the experience of stigma leads individuals to cope with adversity in a meaningful way. Understanding how people benefit from adversity will help promote less distress for people who experience different types (visible or covert) of stigma. Three central questions were addressed. First, is level of distress different based on experience with stigma? Second, does having self-compassion buffer individuals with stigma, in that people with more self-compassion would have less distress than those with less self-compassion? Third, does more stigma experiences lead to more compassion toward others and contribute to lower levels of distress? To explore these questions, participants (N = 416) at a southeastern university completed on-line surveys to assess experience with stigma, compassion, and distress. Separate hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine whether (1) quantity of stigma, (2) directness of stigma, (3) level of visibility of stigma were related to distress. The direct experience of stigma and the lack of visibility of the stigmatizing characteristic significantly predicted higher levels of distress (b = .09, p < .01; b = .09, p < .01; respectively). In order to examine self-compassion as a moderator of the effect of stigma on distress, we conducted moderated regression analysis, with distress as the dependent variable, the centered stigma and self-compassion variables, as well as, the interaction between stigma and self-compassion, as predictors. This hypothesis was not supported. In order to address central question three, indirect effects were tested using bootstrapping (an SPSS script; Preacher and Hayes). Indirect experiences of stigma predicted compassion for others (b = .04, p < .05) which predicted less distress (b = -.32, p < .01). Given these results a follow-up study was conducted to further investigate these relationships. In a follow-up study of participants experiencing either a covert or invisible stigmatizing characteristic, self-compassion is induced by encouraging the participant to help another with the same stigmatizing characteristic. Preliminary results of the inductions effects on compassion for others, self-compassion, and distress will be presented.
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Haag, Ella. "SELF-COMPASSION HOS STUDENTER: KROPPSUPPFATTNING OCH PERFEKTIONISM SOM PREDIKTORER AV SELF-COMPASSION." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för psykologi, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-148574.
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Intresset för self-compassions effekt på psykologiskt välbefinnande har ökat. Self-compassion är negativt associerat med självkritik, ångest och upptagenhet av och utvärdering av den egna kroppen. Self-compassion anses skydda mot de negativa effekterna av perfektionism. Eftersom self-compassion tros förbättra mental hälsa är det av vikt att undersöka vilka variabler som predicerar self-compassion. Denna studies syfte var att undersöka om variablerna kroppsuppfattning och perfektionism predicerade self-compassion. Självskattningsformulären Self-compassion Scale Short Form, Frosts´s Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale och Body Shape Questionnaire-8C administrerades till deltagarna. Resultatet beräknades med hjälp av hierarkiska regressionsanalyser. Resultatet påvisade att subskalan för perfektionism, Concern over Mistakes och Doubts about Actions, och kön signifikant predicerade self-compassion och förklarade en signifikant andel av variansen i self-compassion. Kroppsuppfattning predicerade inte self-compassion signifikant och förklarade inte en signifikant andel av variansen i self-compassion. Framtida forskning angående eventuell överrensstämmelse mellan perfektionism och kroppsuppfattning önskas.The interest of the effect of self-compassion on psychological wellbeing has increased. Self-compassion is negatively associated with self-criticism, anxiety and obsession over and evaluation of the own body. Self-compassion is considered to protect against the negative effects of perfectionism. Since self-compassion is believed to improve mental health, it is important to investigate which variables that predict self-compassion. The aim of this study was to examine if the variables body image and perfectionism predicted self-compassion. The self- report questionnaires Self-compassion Scale Short Form, Frosts´s Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and Body Shape Questionnaire-8C were administered to the participants. The result was calculated using hierarchical regression analysis. The result demonstrated that the subscale regarding perfectionism, Concern over Mistakes and Doubts about Actions, and sex significantly predicted self-compassion and explained a significant proportion of the variance in self-compassion. Body image did not significantly predict self-compassion and did not explain a significant proportion of the variance in self-compassion. Further research regarding potential concordance between perfectionism and body image is desirable.
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Roy, Amaryllis. "Self-compassion and attachment priming : does security priming aid self-compassion in self-critical individuals?" Thesis, University of Exeter, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/18348.
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Self-compassion is increasingly recognised as beneficial in psychotherapy, but can also be experienced as threatening. Attachment priming has been shown to enhance affiliative behaviours even in those with insecure trait attachment styles, and to decrease arousal and threat sensitivity. The current study investigated (a) associations between self-criticism, self-compassion, fear of self-compassion and trait attachment insecurity, and (b) whether attachment-related security priming could promote state self-compassion and reduce physiological arousal when self-compassion induction was attempted by self-critical individuals. 49 participants with high levels of self-reported self-criticism completed either a 'secure' or a 'neutral' prime before undertaking a loving-kindness meditation. Participants' heart rate and skin conductance levels were collected at baseline and during the priming and meditation; participants also self-rated their levels of state self-criticism, state self-compassion and state attachment security at each of these points. Correlational analyses (Spearman's rho) found positive associations between trait self-criticism and trait attachment insecurity and between trait fear of self-compassion and trait attachment insecurity, although not between low trait self-compassion and trait attachment insecurity. Group and time differences were analysed using a combination of parametric (ANOVA, t-test) and non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal Wallis, Wilcoxon Signed Rank) as some data were not normally distributed). Attachment priming was shown to significantly enhance state self-compassion and also to significantly increase state attachment security and decrease state attachment avoidance, although not state self-criticism or state attachment anxiety, and to give some reductions in physiological arousal. This benefit, however, did not persist in subsequent exposure to loving-kindness meditation, although individuals not receiving attachment priming also showed some reduction of threat and activation of soothing systems from loving-kindness meditation. These findings suggest that attachment priming and loving-kindness meditation may increase self-compassion for some self-critical people, but there are not necessarily cumulative benefits from combining these practices.
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Amatya, Pooja Laxmi. "Self-Compassion and Compassion Fatigue in Mental Health Professionals." Xavier University / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1493311585146183.
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Freeman, Stacey. "Emotions in Teaching: Self-Compassion." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2016. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/6399.
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It has been hypothesized that negative emotions, left unresolved, contribute to feelings of burnout experienced by teachers. Self-compassion offers a kind, mindful way of approaching difficult emotions. The purpose of this study is to explore how teachers experience self-compassion by qualitative means. In semi-structured interviews, four elementary school teachers shared critical incidents of self-doubt or disappointment in their teaching. They also completed Neff's (2003a) Self Compassion Survey. Through intra-case and cross case analysis the findings revealed how teachers' lived experiences include episodes of conflict, reflection, resolution, and self-compassion, but in differing orders. Also, participants experienced self-compassion in ways that align with previous work on self-compassion, however an additional element of support seeking emerged. This study provided a context to understand the common ways in which self-compassion was lived out in the classroom while highlighting the differences in participants' experiences. This additional insight into the lived experience of the teachers adds to the body of knowledge regarding emotionality in the classroom and positive ways that teachers can and do regulate emotion through self-compassion. Additionally, participants' drive to seek support from others exposed a social side of self-compassion that Neff's (2003a) definition or a simple dictionary definition did not include.
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Marshall, Nicola. "Relationships amongst self-compassion, self-esteem and schizotypy." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 2014. https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/48748/.
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Aims and Objectives: The primary aim of the research was to investigate the nature of the relationships between self-compassion, self-esteem and schizotypy using a non-clinical sample. A secondary aim was to investigate the mechanisms which help to explain any relationships found. In utilising a non-clinical sample the study aimed to determine whether relationships exist between the variables prior to the onset of psychosis within a continuum approach to schizotypy. A final objective was to identify specific correlates of self-compassion and schizotypy through detailed subscale analyses. Method: The study utilised a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Participants completed self-report questionnaires via a secure website host measuring: self-compassion, global self-esteem, and trait schizotypy. A total of 93 participants took part in the research. Results: As predicted, highly significant negative correlations were determined between self-compassion and schizotypy, and between self-esteem and schizotypy. With respect to the mechanisms through which these variables were related, self-compassion was not found to moderate the relationship between self-esteem and schizotypy. However, self-compassion and schizotypy were found to be related via both a direct and an indirect route, which was mediated by self-esteem. Conclusions: The study is the first to investigate the nature of the relationships amongst self-compassion, self-esteem and schizotypy in a non-clinical population, utilising the schizotypy construct as an analogue of the psychosis continuum. The findings indicated that there may be both a direct, and an indirect route through self-esteem, which accounted for the relationship between self-compassion and schizotypy. The results mirror associations determined within clinical populations. The authors argues that in utilising schizotypy as an analogue of the psychosis continuum the results of this study provide evidence that self-esteem and self-compassion may reflect underlying mechanisms which could underpin schizotypal symptomatology.
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Ashish, Dev, and Dev Ashish. "Self-Compassion and the Need of Self-Preservation." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/620629.
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Terror management theory research suggests that self-esteem acts as an anxiety buffer and high self-esteem can reduce implicit death thoughts and worldview defense. Self-compassion, it is argued, enhances wellbeing by making people feel safe and secure, while self-esteem makes people feel superior and sometimes unrealistically self-confident. Through a series of studies, this dissertation investigated buffering of death anxiety by self-compassion. Studies 1 and 2 investigated the role of trait (Study 1) and induced (Study 2) self-compassion in buffering existential anxiety by reducing implicit death thoughts. Studies 3 and 4 investigated the role of trait (Study 3) and induced (Study 4) self-compassion in buffering existential anxiety by reducing worldview defense. The series of studies did not support the proposed hypotheses, as they failed to replicate the expected mortality salience effects. Because of this, the effects of self-compassion on implicit death anxiety were also not evident. Possible reasons for failure to reject the null hypotheses are discussed and recommendation for future studies is given.
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Rushing, Jamie E. "Music Therapists’ Self-Compassion, Compassion for Others, and Professional Quality of Life." UKnowledge, 2017. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/90.
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As helping professionals, music therapists show compassion to their clients but may lack necessary self-care skills to prevent burnout and promote well-being. Due to a lack of research in this area, this study investigated reported levels of compassion for others, self-compassion, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction among music therapists in relation to age, gender, and years of professional experience. A survey of 575 board certified music therapists in the USA revealed higher levels of compassion for others than self-compassion, low levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress, and high levels of compassion satisfaction. Burnout strongly negatively correlated with both self-compassion and compassion satisfaction and strongly positively correlated with secondary traumatic stress. A MANCOVA revealed significant differences in compassion for others and compassion satisfaction based on gender, with female participants reporting significantly higher scores for both constructs. Additionally, there was a trend related to self-compassion and compassion levels increasing over time. There were strong associations between compassion and self-compassion with burnout and secondary traumatic stress; therefore, it would benefit music therapists to cultivate compassion practices to lower burnout risk.
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Bayramoglu, Ali. "Self-compassion In Relation To Psychopathology." Phd thesis, METU, 2011. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12613940/index.pdf.
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The aim of this thesis was to examine the concept of self-compassion in relation to psychopathology with mediating effects of experiential avoidance and metacognition in a Turkish university student sample. Self-Compassion which is a recently formulated promising concept in western psychology consists of three components: self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. In addition to self-compassion, recent psychological concepts of cognitive (metacognition) and behavioral (experiential avoidance) perspectives were investigated through models. In this thesis, the negative relationship between self-compassion and psychopathology (depression and anxiety) with mediating effects of experiential avoidance and metacognition was tested. Prior to main analyses, psychometric properties of the scales measuring self-compassion and experiential avoidance were tested. Then, three different models were tested with structural equation modeling (SEM). In these analyses, the proposed full mediation models were compared to empirically alternative models. Self-compassion was found to be significantly and negatively related to both depression, and anxiety. In the first model experiential avoidance fully mediated the relationship between self-compassion and psychopathology. Moreover, metacognitive factors and metacognition as a whole concept mediated the relation between self-compassion and psychopathology. However, they were not as powerful as experiential avoidance. Results of this thesis supported the literature about empowering effect of self-compassion against psychopathology. Furthermore, relationships were mediated by concepts of both modern cognitive and behavior therapies. However, self-compassion, as a fundamental element of psychotherapy, was the focus of this thesis. Findings of the study were discussed in the context of the relevant literature.
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Barrow, Alexandra. "Shame, self-criticism and self-compassion in eating disorders." Thesis, University of Leicester, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2381/31236.
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Research has suggested that shame and self-criticism are important to eating disorders. Highly shame-prone individuals are thought to have difficulty feeling warmth for the self. Self-compassion is a new construct associated with being able to self-soothe and feel kindness for the self. To date, self-compassion has not been explored clinically in people with eating disorders, however, cognitive therapies have begun to incorporate related areas such as mindfulness.;The aim of the study was to explore relationships between eating disorder symptoms, internal and external shame, self-criticism variables (including self-reassurance) and self-compassion in a sample of women with eating disorders attending an outpatient specialist eating disorder service.;The study used a cross-sectional, correlational design. Seventy-six female participants completed a series of self-report measures assessing anorexic and bulimic cognition and behaviours, shame, self-criticism and self-compassion. Data were analysed using Pearson's Product Moment correlations.;There were significant relationships between anorexic cognitions and internal and external shame, and between anorexic cognitions and behaviours and types of self-criticism. Anorexic cognitions were significantly negatively related to self-compassion. Self-compassion was significantly negatively related to all the shame and self-criticism variables, and positively related to self-reassuring. Self-compassion may protect against anorexic cognitions and associated beliefs associated with shame and self-criticism.;Conclusions: Women with eating disorders are highly shame-prone and engage in self-critical thinking. Self-compassion may be a clinically useful construct but this requires further research.
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LaDuke, Sheri L., Kathleen A. Klik, and Stacey L. Williams. "Self-Compassion and Perceptions of Public and Self-Stigma." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2013. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/8104.
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Wiseman, Justin M. "Self-Compassion and Its Relation to Nonsuicidal Self-Injury." Wright State University Professional Psychology Program / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wsupsych1530478468805199.
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Ringenbach, Ron T. "A Comparison Between Counselors Who Practice Meditation and Those Who Do Not on Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout and Self-Compassion." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1239650446.
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Shepstone, Laura Louise. "Compassion-facilitation after trauma." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/29516.
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Literature Review: Background: Compassion-facilitating interventions (CFIs) seek to increase feelings of reassurance, safeness and well-being, and are suggested as a new psychotherapeutic approach to treat post-traumatic stress. Objectives: This review summarises and synthesises the literature investigating CFIs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in clinical adult populations. Method: A systematic review of the experimental and intervention literature to date was completed using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Knowledge databases. Results: CFIs show large to medium effect sizes in reducing PTSD in traumatised populations. However, many studies did not compare these interventions to active control conditions, and for the few studies that did, compassion-facilitating interventions were not better at reducing PTSD than the active control conditions. There was also not enough evidence in these studies to indicate a mechanism of change in these interventions. Conclusions: CFIs may be an effective intervention in PTSD, but more high quality research is needed to establish their efficacy over and above well established PTSD treatments. More research is also needed to identify the psychological mechanisms at work in decreasing PTSD symptoms Empirical Paper: Objective: Compassion-facilitating interventions are thought to be promising for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is theorised that inducing self compassion through a compassion-facilitating meditation task would interrupt the psychological processes that cause emotional distress and trauma-related intrusions that form post-trauma. Methods: A student sample (n = 72) was exposed to a trauma-film and then either listened to a neutral-emotion audio mediation or a compassion-facilitating meditation (CFM). Self-reported distress, self-compassion and self-criticism were measured at baseline, post-film, post-audio meditation and for seven days following the experiment. Measures of sympathetic arousal and parasympathetic activation were measured at baseline and during the trauma film and audio meditation. Trauma-related intrusions were measured for seven days following the experiment. Results: Lower self-reported distress and higher self-compassion were reported over the seven day follow-up, but not directly after the meditation. No statistical differences between conditions over time were found for any of the physiological measures but skin conductance was higher in the CFM group, contrary to predictions. There were also no statistical differences found between the two conditions in terms of sum daily intrusions following trauma-exposure. Conclusions: This research supports the hypothesis that facilitating self compassion can disrupt some of the observed processes post-trauma, namely felt distress, although only after a delay. These findings are relevant to the theoretical models of PTSD and future clinical interventions.
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Gee, Lucy. "Enhancing self-compassion : the effects of compassionate imagery and the fear of compassion." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.576110.
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The concept of self-compassion has become increasingly popular in the mental health literature due to its associations with well-being and psychological health. Compassion Focused Therapy is a relatively new therapeutic model which uses a range of techniques, such as compassionate imagery, to enhance self-compassion. Researchers and clinicians have, however, found that individuals can be fearful of compassion, from others and/or towards themselves. This can cause a block to the development of self-compassion and can inhibit the effects of the therapeutic techniques of Compassion Focused Therapy. Objective The present study was designed to explore the relationship between attachment and fear of compassion and the role of different compassionate imagery tasks in reducing fear of compassion and improving affect. Method The study used an experimental between-participants design, in order to explore differences between different imagery tasks on the reduction of fear of compassion and improvement of affect. 189 students and staff were randomly allocated to one of three imagery tasks - a compassionate self imagery task ('self-self’), a compassion from others to the self imagery task ('other-self’), and a control imagery task. Results Findings showed that: 1) avoidant attachment was the strongest predictor of fear of compassion towards the self and fear of compassion from others; 2) that the 'self-self’ task was significantly better than the control task at reducing fear of compassion to the self, but that there were no differences between the imagery tasks at reducing fear of compassion from others, and 3) individuals with high fear of compassion from others and towards the self benefitted more from 'self-self’ imagery than 'other-self’. Implications The results highlight the need for clinicians to consider attachment when working with individuals who fear compassion, and to be aware of the effects of that different compassionate imagery tasks may have on individuals who fear compassion.
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Comeau, Nicolas J. "Self-Compassion, Stress, and Self-Care in Psychology Graduate Students." Thesis, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10261914.
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Psychology graduate trainees are exposed to a variety of stressors during their education, such as costly tuition, long hours of study, and demanding clinical work. There is a need for graduate institutions to help trainees build self-care skills; however, there is little agreement about the best approach for boosting these skills. The present study proposes that self-care training may benefit from helping students to build self-compassion (an attitude of warmth directed inward). To explore the possibility that self-compassion promotes student wellbeing, a sample of 122 mental health trainees was recruited from a large Midwestern training institution. Most participants were female (82.8%) and the mean age was 30.2 years. The sample was ethnically diverse. Over half identified as Caucasian (56.6%), with the reminder identifying as African American, Latino/a, Asian, Filipino, or American Indian or Alaska Native. All participants completed measures of three variables: self-compassion, self-care behavior, and perceived stress. The results showed that students with greater levels of self-compassion experience significantly lower levels of perceived stress (r = -.57, p < .001) and engaged in significantly more self-care behavior (r = .64, p < .001). Furthermore, self-care behavior partially mediated the effect of self-compassion on perceived stress, and this partial mediation effect was statistically significant (z = -3.42, p < .001). These findings indicate that greater self-compassion is associated with more self-care behavior, which, in turn, is associated with reduced stress levels. Therefore, graduate institutions that wish to promote student wellbeing can benefit from teaching students ways to build self-compassion.
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Gammer, Isobel. "Self-compassion and well-being in parenthood." Thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University, 2017. http://create.canterbury.ac.uk/16419/.
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New self-help interventions have been called for to promote psychological well-being amongst mothers in the first year post-partum, with self-compassion being identified as a promising intervention target. The present study developed and evaluated a low-intensity, online, compassion-based intervention for this population. The Kindness for Mums Online (KFMO) programme was based on Hartley-Jones (2016), and was developed in consultation with six mothers. Mothers of infants under one year (N = 206) participated in a randomised controlled trial, comparing KFMO with a waitlist control. The KFMO group showed significantly greater increases in self-compassion and in psychological well-being compared to controls, with small to medium effect sizes. Improvement in self-compassion statistically mediated the improvement in well-being observed immediately post-intervention. Treatment gains in self-compassion, but not well-being, were maintained at 6-week follow-up. The findings suggest that self-compassion can be increased in post-natal women via an accessible, low-intensity, web-based self-help programme. Study limitations include high attrition rates and poor generalisability to more diverse samples.
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Walter, Fawn Autumn. "Self-Compassion, Health Behaviors, and Cardiovascular Health." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent152741659353965.
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Beard, Kieron. "Self-compassion and coping in gay men." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2013. http://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/13337/.
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Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Includes three chapters; a narrative literature review of coping with minority stress in gay men, empirical study exploring the the benefits of self-compassion for well-being in gay men and a expanded discussion chapter.
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Purdie, Fiona Jane. "Self-compassion, social functioning and chronic pain." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2014. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/8335/.
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Background: Chronic pain can have significant negative consequences for many areas of life, including social functioning and participation. Self‐compassion is becoming established as a factor which can promote psychological wellbeing, resilience and coping in the face of difficulties such as those presented by chronic pain. The available evidence suggests that higher levels of self‐compassion are associated with increased acceptance of pain, lower levels of negative affect, pain catastrophising and pain disability. Self‐compassion may, therefore, play a role in attenuating the impact of pain‐relevant events. However, there have been no studies to date which examine the role of self‐compassion on social functioning and participation in a chronic pain population. Method: An experimental vignette design was used to assess the influence of self‐compassion on affective, cognitive and behavioural responses to unpleasant self‐relevant events, which were manipulated across social context and pain relevance, in a chronic pain population (n=62). Results: Higher levels of self‐compassion were associated with lower intensities of negative affect (sadness, anxiety, anger and embarrassment), and a lower reported likelihood of avoidance, catastrophising and rumination in response to unpleasant pain‐ and self‐ relevant events. Individuals with higher levels of self‐compassion also reported higher levels of satisfaction with their social participation in general. Conclusions: Self‐compassion may be an important factor in developing resilience and promoting social engagement in a chronic pain population. Further research is indicated to better establish the process by which self‐compassion may maintain positive social functioning, whether selfcompassion can be increased in chronic pain patients, and if so whether these results can be replicated in real life circumstances.
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Sirois, Fuschia M., Ryan Kitner, and Jameson K. Hirsch. "Self-Compassion, Affect, and Health-Promoting Behaviors." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2015. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/685.
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Objective: Emerging theory and research suggest that self-compassion promotes the practice of health behaviors, and implicates self-regulation as an explanatory factor. However, previous investigations focused only on behavior intentions or health risk behaviors, and did not investigate the role of emotions. This study expands on this research using a small-scale meta-analysis approach with our own data sets to examine the associations of self-compassion with a set of health-promoting behaviors, and test the roles of high positive affect and low negative affect as potential explanatory mechanisms. Method: Fifteen independent samples (N = 3,252) with correlations of self-compassion with the frequency of self-reported health-promoting behaviors (eating habits, exercise, sleep behaviors, and stress management) were meta-analyzed. Eight of these samples completed measures of positive and negative affect. Results: Self-compassion was positively associated with the practice of health-promoting behaviors across all 15 samples. The meta-analysis revealed a small effect size (average r = .25; p < .001) of self-compassion and health behaviors, with low variability. Tests of the indirect effects of self-compassion on health behaviors through positive and negative affect with multiple mediator analyses revealed small effects for each. Separate meta-analyses of the indirect effects (IE) were significant for positive (average IE = .08; p < .001) and negative affect (average IE = .06; p < .001), and their combined indirect effects (average IE = .15; p < .0001). Conclusion: Self-compassion may be an important quality to cultivate for promoting positive health behaviors, due in part to its association with adaptive emotions.
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Finlay-Jones, Amy Louise. "Self-compassion and psychological health among psychologists." Thesis, Curtin University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1440.
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This research examines the role of self-compassion in promoting psychological health among Australian psychologists and psychology trainees. The first study found that self-compassion predicted depression and stress in a sample of 198 trainee and practising psychologists, and that emotion regulation difficulties mediated these relationships. In the second study, a novel online self-compassion training program was developed, and its feasibility and effectiveness for improving psychological wellbeing and reducing psychological distress among trainee psychologists was evaluated.
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Farnsworth, Jacob K. "An Exploration of the Criterion and Construct Validity of the Self-Compassion Scale." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2014. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc699856/.
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Past research indicates that self-compassion has positive implications for psychological health and functioning. However, as a newly specified construct, the literature regarding self-compassion could benefit from a more thorough validation of the primary scale used in this area of research, the Self-Compassion Scale. In the present study, structural path analysis (using Amos) was used to explore the criterion validity of the SCS with four variables which have been theorized to be relevant to self-compassion (caregiver emotional responsiveness, fear of emotion, internalized spirituality, and achievement goal orientation). Initial hypothesis testing indicated support for the path model, with the exception of achievement goals which were not significantly associated with self-compassion. Trimming these paths in a subsequent analysis improved model fit. Interestingly, further analyses of the model indicated that the pairing of participant and parent gender produced substantial differences in path coefficients. Next, correlational and factor analytic methods were used to test the construct validity of the SCS. Correlational analyses found adequate convergent construct validity but some lack of divergent validity between SCS dimensions and conceptually similar constructs (i.e., fear of emotion, social connectedness and self-criticism). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a two-factor model fit the data better than the one-factor model proposed by the author of the SCS. The incremental validity of the two-factor model was supported by incorporating a two-factor SCS in the path analysis. In sum, these findings generally support the criterion validity of the SCS through meaningful associations with theoretically relevant variables but cautions that these associations are strongly influenced by gender. It is also strongly recommended that a two-factor model of the SCS be explored in further research to ascertain its incremental utility for understanding self-compassion’s positive effects on psychological health.
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Parry, Elizabeth. "Self-compassion and the pursuit of personal goals." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/28999.
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Setting and monitoring progress on personal goals has potential advantages for helping people achieve their goals. However, it may also have disadvantages for both goal progress and personal well-being if people start to focus on progress and external outcomes (e.g. academic grades) more than internal processes (e.g. interest in the subject). Self-compassion has been suggested as a trait that may help people cope with set-backs, maintain intrinsic motivation and achieve their goals. It may therefore be particularly helpful in overcoming some of the disadvantages of setting and monitoring personal goals. Self-compassion has previously been theoretically differentiated from self-esteem, with self-esteem seen as more contingent on positive self-judgements and success, suggesting that self-compassion may have additional benefits for maintaining individuals’ intrinsic motivation. The aim of this study was therefore to test whether self-compassion exercises are more helpful than self-esteem exercises in the context of setting and monitoring goals. This was tested using a between group experimental design with two conditions: self-compassion and self-esteem. Ninety-four university students were randomly assigned to one of the conditions and followed a four-week goal setting and monitoring programme in relation to both an academic and social goal. The data showed that both inductions resulted in an increase in state self-compassion and self-esteem. There was no difference between the conditions in achievement of either goal over the four weeks. There was also no difference between conditions in the weekly association between poor progress and negative affect or change in goal commitment and autonomous motivation over the four weeks. However, the self-compassion condition was rated as more pleasant than the self-esteem condition. The results suggest that the self-compassion exercises used may be more acceptable than the self-esteem exercises used but they are not better than the self-esteem exercises for enhancing goal pursuit. The study suggests that further research is needed to distinguish the motivational effects of self-compassion and self-esteem.
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Withers, Joanne. "Exploring seven to eleven year old children's perspectives of self-talk and their experience of an intervention encouraging self-talk that is self-compassionate." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/18900.
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Paper One: An opportunity sample from three primary schools participated, split between two age categories with 37 children from year groups three and four (mean age of 8 years) and 48 from year groups five and six (mean age of 9 years 11 months). Children’s perspectives of self-talk were explored through focus groups that were transcribed and then studied through thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Additional quantitative data was generated from the children’s self-reported experiences of self-talk, which they also rated along constructs relating to positivity. A sample of the children’s self-talk statements that were judged to be self-evaluative, were additionally rated by an opportunity sample of four adult participants to allow a comparison between adult and child perspectives. In line with previous research, themes arose concerning children’s perspectives of the role of self-talk in enabling them to negotiate cognitive and social situations. New themes arose including the children’s concerns about the privacy of their thoughts and the prominence of self-evaluative forms of self-talk. More similarities than differences were found between the two age ranges and there was considerable overlap between adult and child ratings of the evaluative self-talk statements. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed, including links to Paper Two of this study. Paper Two: This is a feasibility study. An opportunity sample of 79 children, aged between seven and eleven years old (mean age of 9 years 7 months), took part in a series of six group intervention sessions run by the researcher. These aimed to encourage self-talk that is self-compassionate, using elements of compassion focused approaches (Gilbert, 2009). A mixed methods design led to analysis of qualitative data from post-intervention group interviews using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Quantitative data comprised the children’s pre-intervention and post-intervention responses to three questionnaires seeking to explore wellbeing, behaviour and self-compassion. Several key themes were identified, including the children’s ability to engage with the concepts of self-talk, self-kindness and the three system model of emotions (Gilbert, 2009). The concept of self-compassion itself was found to have some aspects that were harder for the children to comprehend. There were no significant differences between the children’s responses on the pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires, however, there were interesting qualitative responses concerning the use of these. The implications of these findings will be discussed with consideration to current educational psychologist practice and the need for future research.
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Moore, Simone. "What is the best predictor of emotional distress - mindfulness, self-compassion or other-compassion?" Thesis, University of East Anglia, 2013. https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/45261/.
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Aims and objectives. The aim of the current research was to explore the relationship of mindfulness, self- and other-compassion with emotional dysregulation and symptoms in a clinical population suffering from mild-moderate anxiety and depression. Method. In order to investigate the relationships amongst the variables of interest, a cross-sectional design was employed. Quantitative data were collected via five self-report questionnaires measuring mindfulness, self-compassion, other-compassion, emotion dysregulation and emotional distress (anxiety, depression and stress), in addition to demographic information. A total of 94 adults enrolled in Improving Access to Psychological Therapy groups completed the questionnaires. Results. Multiple regression analysis indicated that all three predictor variables (mindfulness, self-compassion and other-compassion) significantly predicted variance within the measure of emotional distress, with mindfulness holding the most predictive power. Only mindfulness and self-compassion significantly predicted variance within the measure of emotion dysregulation, with self-compassion holding the most predictive power. Mediation analysis showed that emotion dysregulation partially mediates the relationship between mindfulness and emotional distress. Additionally, mediation analysis showed that emotion dysregulation perfectly mediates the relationship between self-compassion and 12 emotional distress. Emotion dysregulation did not significantly mediate the relationship between other-compassion and emotional distress. Conclusions. This study was the first to empirically explore the relationship of other-compassion with emotion dysregulation and emotional distress. The current findings suggest that other-compassion was not as important as mindfulness and self-compassion in regards to emotion dysregulation. The role of mindfulness and self-compassion within emotion dysregulation and emotional distress supports previous research findings. It is argued that the current study‟s findings are supportive of theoretical accounts that explain mindfulness and self-compassion as mind-training tools designed to improve emotion regulation in order to reduce emotional distress.
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Koehler, Christine Marie Guthrie. "Effects of a Self-care Intervention for Counselors on Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2012. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc177220/.
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This study investigated the impact of a psychoeducational and experiential structured counselor self-care curriculum, developed by Drs. Charles and Kathleen Figley, on compassion fatigue and the prevention of professional impairment as measured by the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL), Version 5. Volunteer licensed professional counselors, supervisors, and interns from four children's advocacy centers in Texas were assigned to treatment group (n = 21; 20 females, 1 male; mean age 34.4 years) or waitlist control group (n = 21; 19 females, 2 males; mean age 34.6 years). Participating counselors identified themselves ethnically as 64% Caucasian, 26% Hispanic, 7% African-American, and 2% Native-American. Employing a quasi-experimental design, three reliability-corrected analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were utilized to analyze the data with an alpha level of .05 to assess statistical significance and partial eta squared to assess effect size. With pre-test scores as the covariate, results revealed in the experimental group a statistically significant reduction with large treatment effect for burnout (p = .01; partial ?2 = .15), a statistically nonsignificant reduction with a medium effect for secondary traumatic stress (p = .18; partial ?2 = .05), and a statistically nonsignificant increase with a medium effect for compassion satisfaction (p = .06; partial ?2= .09). Findings supported the use of this curriculum to train counselors on self-care as required of professional counselors by the American Counseling Association code of ethics and listed as a necessary skill in the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
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Winton, Holly. "Self-discrepancy and shame in adolescents : relationships with self-esteem and self-compassion." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.580578.
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BACKGROUND Research suggests self-discrepancy is associated with shame, depression and anxiety in adults, as well as reduced self-worth. By contrast, the literature on adolescent experiences is sparse. This is surprising, given adolescence is a time of increased self-evaluation in developing the self and relations with others. Of prime interest is how young people's appraisals of themselves and others impact on self-esteem and emotional wellbeing. Thus, it is proposed self-discrepancy is associated with shame, depression and anxiety, due to its relationship with self-esteem. Associated low self-esteem and negative affect could be lessened by fostering self-compassion, which engenders tolerance of non-ideal self- attributes. Thus, it is also hypothesised that self-compassion moderates the relationship between self-discrepancy and self-esteem. METHOD A cross-sectional questionnaire-based design was employed: measures of self-discrepancy, self-esteem, self-compassion, shame, depression and anxiety were completed by a community sample of 141 16 to 18 year-olds. Data were subjected to correlation, regression, mediation and moderation analyses. RESULTS Self-discrepancy predicted a small but significant amount of the variance in shame, depression and anxiety. However, when self-esteem was entered simultaneously into the regression model, self-esteem emerged as the only significant predictor of negative affect. Subsequently, it was found that self- esteem partially mediates the relationship between self-discrepancy and negative affect. Self-compassion, however, did not significantly moderate the relationship between self-discrepancy and self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS Self-esteem has more predictive utility than self-discrepancy on adolescent experiences of shame, depression and anxiety, and it partially mediates the relationship between self-discrepancy and negative affect. Self- compassion is a potential protective factor against negative emotion, and possible explanations are discussed for why it was not revealed to Significantly moderate the relationship between self-discrepancy and self- esteem. Methodological limitations of the study are discussed, as are ideas for future research and clinical implications, including promoting self- compassion to protect self-discrepant adolescents from self-esteem damage and negative affect.
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Almond, Natalie R. "Perfectionism, failure and self-conscious emotions : a role for self-compassion?" Thesis, University of Surrey, 2015. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/808248/.
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Objectives: This study investigated: (1) whether maladaptive perfectionism predicted the experience of self-conscious emotions such as shame, guilt and pride following an imagined failure and (2) whether self-compassionate writing could reduce shame and guilt and increase pride relative to a control and self-esteem writing task. Design: The study used a correlational design to assess the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and self-conscious emotions. The study also used an experimental between-subjects design to investigate the effect of writing task on self-conscious emotions controlling for initial levels of self-conscious emotion using ANCOVA. Methods: Ninety-five University of Surrey students completed an online study that manipulated imagined failure on an academic assignment, and measured maladaptive perfectionism and shame, guilt and pride. Participants were then randomly allocated to either a self-compassionate, self-esteem or a control writing task. Self-conscious emotions were then measured again. Results: Following imagining failure maladaptive perfectionism was positively associated with state shame and guilt and negatively associated with state pride. When measured after the writing tasks, the means for shame and guilt were lowered and the mean for pride was increased. However, contrary to predictions, shame was not predicted by writing condition, guilt remained highest following completion of a self-compassionate writing task and pride was highest following the completion of the control-writing task. Conclusions: Maladaptive perfectionism is correlated with self-conscious emotions following imagined failure. Self-compassionate writing tasks do not appear to be more effective at improving self-conscious emotion than other writing tasks.
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Macedonia, Marie F. "Self-Care and Self-Compassion of Disaster Responders: Predictors of Resilience." Antioch University / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1533148140942085.
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Hacker, Thomas. "The relational compassion scale : development and validation of a new self rated scale for the assessment of self-other compassion." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2008. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/462/.
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Objective: Previous research on the assessment of compassion focussed on self-reported self-compassion measures. This study reported on the development and evaluation of a new compassion scale that expands the previous conceptualisation by incorporating relational aspects of compassion. Methods: In an online study, 201 participants completed the relational compassion scale and a random sample of four questionnaires comprising measures of self-compassion, emotional approach coping, self-attacking/self-criticism and attachment. Moreover, the criterion-based validity of the scale was tested with an extreme group comparison design for which 30 Arts and Engineering students were recruited. Results: Consistent with a relational conceptualisation of compassion, findings supported a four-factor structure of the measure. Furthermore, the scale was positively correlated with measures of self-compassion, emotional approach coping, reassured self and a secure attachment style. However, the self to other compassion factor of the scale did not correlate with the self-attacking/self-criticism scale. Conclusions: Findings suggest that compassion can be conceptualised from within a relational framework. Moreover, this study indicates a need for further research investigating the relationship between self- and other-compassion in clinical samples and the interaction between different affect regulation systems.
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Flegar, Alaina. "Enhancing Self-compassion in Athletes: A Feasibility Study of an Online Self-compassion Program for Athlete Mindfulness, Anxiety and Performance." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/42010.
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The nature of sport competition involves athletes being compared and ranked based on athletic ability, with athletes invariably confronted by potential threat of subjective and objective failure within their sport context. Given this circumstance and the extraordinary amount of pressure athletes often experience, developing an ability to be kind towards oneself in the face of perceived failure could be an important part of sport training. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 4-week self-guided online self-compassion program for athletes. Eighty competitive athletes who participate in time-based sports were recruited from sport organizations and randomly assigned to either a 4-week self-compassion program or a wait-list control. Participants in both groups completed pre- and post-study self-report measures of self-compassion, mindfulness, general anxiety, sport-related anxiety, and perceived sport performance. Objective athletic performance was obtained through performance logs. Results indicated that the self-compassion program was of interest to sport organizations and athletes. However, attrition was high and there were challenges with program adherence. Linear mixed model analyses revealed that relative to the wait-list control, participants in the self-compassion group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in overall levels of self-compassion, the self-compassion element of common humanity, and the mindfulness facet Observe. No significant differences between the groups were found for measures of anxiety and perceived and objective sport performance. Factors influencing compliance with online self-compassion programs such as participant readiness and fears of self-compassion are explored. Program efficacy, study limitations, and directions for future research are also discussed. While the self-compassion program is feasible, challenges in program adherence need to be addressed in future studies. Future research should continue formulating the concept of self-compassion in sport to reflect the needs and interests of athletes, consider including several formats and methods of program delivery, add a motivational component to address barriers to participation and program adherence, and work in collaboration with sport coaches and teams.
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Westberg, Petra. "Well-Being and Self-Compassion : A study on the relationship between well-being and self-compassion in a Cuban sample." Thesis, Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för biovetenskap, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-18645.
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Well-being is a human goal globally and has been considered so since the early days of philosophical thought. As the science of well-being has grown the last decades, well-being has widely been agreed to consist of two core components: Hedonic well-being and Eudaimonic well-being. These components have been studied to a large extent and further explored, conceptualized, and divided. How components of well-being interrelate is still being explored, as well of what drivers there are of experiencing well-being.Self-compassion is a relatively new field within psychology and cognitive neuroscience research which has been linked to components of well-being. Thus, the first aim of this study was to provide a theoretical overview of previous studies of the relationship between well-being and self-compassion. As research of self-compassion is still in its infancy, there are yet very few studies on self-compassion and its relationship to well-being in different cultures. The concept stems from East-Asian culture, and if self-compassion is important for well-being globally, or if it is depending on difference in culture, has been discussed. Hence, the second aim was to explore if there would be a potential relationship between self-compassion and well-being in a Cuban sample, as there is a lack of research in that region. 200 university students in Havana participated and filled in a questionnaire regarding subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and self-compassion. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between well-being and self-compassion, and especially between psychological well-being and self-compassion. Components of well-being correlated with each other as well. These results go in line with previous research. Hence the present study suggests that the patterns of correlations between self-compassion and well-being is similar in Cuban university students as in other cultures studied so far.
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Klik, Kathleen A., Sheri L. LaDuke, and Stacey L. Williams. "Explaining the Link Between Stigma and Self-Compassion." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2013. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/8103.
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Connally, Melissa Londoño. "The Role of Self-Compassion in Posttraumatic Growth." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2017. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1011760/.
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Although the experience of trauma is associated with a great deal of psychological distress, it may also lead to meaningful positive change, known as posttraumatic growth (PTG), evidenced as progression in areas of life appreciation, intimacy in relationships, sense of personal strength, new possibilities, and spiritual development. Utilizing an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) perspective, the current study explored whether self-compassion helped to explain the willingness to approach and make sense of a trauma, leading to growth. A sample of 758 undergraduate students completed online self-report questionnaires, and results suggested that self-compassion does partially predict PTG and support for how self-compassion may be understood in relation to PTG is provided. Implications of the current study's findings, as well as suggestions for future research related to trauma within a college population, are discussed.
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Henshall, Lauren Elizabeth. "An exploration of self-compassion within healthcare professionals." Thesis, University of Hull, 2015. http://hydra.hull.ac.uk/resources/hull:12283.
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This portfolio thesis comprises of three parts: a systematic literature review, an empirical report and supporting appendices. Part one is a systematic literature review in which empirical papers investigating the effectiveness of interventions for cultivating self-compassion in healthcare professionals are reviewed. A systematic database search identified fifteen studies to be reviewed. A narrative synthesis of the findings pertaining to effectiveness is provided alongside a review of the methodological quality of the research in this area. The clinical implications for healthcare services and directions for future research are also discussed. Part two is an empirical paper combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies to explore compassion amongst healthcare professionals. The quantitative component sought to investigate whether the presence of occupational stressors and threats impacts on healthcare professionals’ ability to give compassion to others at work, and whether self-compassion and organisational compassion may moderate this relationship. In addition, thematic analysis was employed to investigate the most prominent troubles that healthcare professionals experience in relation to their work. The findings are discussed in relation to theory and implications for clinical practice and future research. Part three comprises the appendices supporting the systematic literature review and the empirical paper, but also includes a reflective statement focussing on the research process.
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Robinson, C. J. E. "Factors associated with self-compassion in clinical psychologists." Thesis, University of Essex, 2015. http://repository.essex.ac.uk/15221/.
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At present, two dominant conceptualisations of self-compassion exist. However, a unifying consensus includes self-compassion as a basic kindness and an understanding, non-judgemental attitude towards ones inadequacies and failures (Neff, 2003a), coupled with the wish and effort to relieve ones suffering (Gilbert, 2010a). A review of the literature reveals elevated stress levels within clinical psychologists (CP’s) and a disproportionate amount of research exploring effective self-care strategies. Given the well-evidenced benefits of self-compassion for good psychological wellbeing, it seemed valuable to understand what the levels of self-compassion were within CP’s and establish what factors may relate to them. The factors explored in the present research were: 1) current levels of stress, 2) current level of psychological distress, 3) age of clinician, 4) years of clinical experience, 5) level of social connectedness, 6) fear of giving compassion to others, 7) fear of receiving compassion from others and 8) fear of self-compassion. Furthermore, no research had demonstrated UK community normative data for the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003b). Therefore this research adopted a quantitative, cross sectional design, using both online and paper methods to access a community sample and an online survey to access trainee and qualified CP’s. Analyses revealed that qualified CP’s reported significantly higher self-compassion than trainees, themselves significantly higher than a community sample. A multiple regression analyses revealed that fear of self-compassion, perceived stress and social connectedness, significantly related to self-compassion scores in trainee CP’s. Within the qualified CP, fear of self-compassion and perceived stress again were found to significantly relate to self-compassion. Results also demonstrated that in the UK, 1/3rd of trainee CP’s and 1/5th of qualified CP’s reported psychological distress significant enough to meet the clinical criteria for an anxiety or depressive disorder. These findings are therefore discussed and clinical implications are presented.
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Banks, Kirsty. "Mindfulness, self-compassion and post-traumatic stress disorder." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/22085.
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Background: Post-traumatic stress and exposure to early traumatic events are often characterised by negative self-cognitions and experiences of shame, guilt or blame. These symptoms are theoretically linked to the concept of self-compassion which is an important factor in affect regulation, and is predictive of mental wellbeing and psychological distress. Interventions aimed at increasing acceptance, non-judgement and self-compassion such as mindfulness may be useful in the treatment of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Methods: The first part of this portfolio presents a systematic review which aimed to collate and evaluate the existing research for the use of mindfulness based interventions to treat post-traumatic stress symptoms. The search process involved a systematic search of relevant research databases, hand search of relevant journals, and relevant authors were contacted. The second part of this portfolio presents a quantitative research study which explored the relationship between the experience of childhood trauma and self-compassion; and whether self-compassion was predictive of post-traumatic stress and growth in an adult clinical sample. Data were collected through postal survey and analysed using correlation and hierarchical regression analysis. Systematic Review Results: The systematic review resulted in 12 studies which met eligibility criteria, the majority of studies indicated positive outcomes with improvements in post-traumatic stress symptoms, particularly in reducing avoidance. Many of these studies lacked methodological rigour and further studies with more robust research design are required. Research Study Results: The quantitative study showed that greater experience of childhood emotional abuse, neglect, punishment and sexual abuse were significantly correlated with lower self-compassion in adulthood. Hierarchical regression showed that self-compassion was predictive of total post-traumatic stress symptoms, post-traumatic avoidance and intrusion when age, gender, exposure to traumatic events and childhood trauma were controlled. The experience of post-traumatic growth showed no significant relationship with self-compassion. Conclusions: Studies indicate that mindfulness interventions show promise for the treatment of PTSD symptoms, although further research with more robust methodology is needed. Greater experience of childhood abuse is related to lower self-compassion in adulthood and lower self-compassion is predictive of higher PTSD avoidance and intrusion symptoms. This suggests that future research investigating self-compassion interventions may be beneficial in treating PTSD.
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Pauley, Gerard James. "The experience and meaning of compassion and self-compassion for individuals with depression or anxiety." Thesis, University of Essex, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.446552.
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Bove, Frank John. "SOCIAL SELF AND RELIGIOUS SELF: AN INQUIRY INTO COMPASSION AND THE SELF-OTHER DIALECTIC." [Kent, Ohio] : Kent State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=kent1195568243.
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Thesis (M.A.)--Kent State University, 2007.Title from PDF t.p. (viewed July 3, 2008). Advisor: Jeffrey Wattles. Keywords: social self; self-other dialectic; pure experience; I-Me; I-Thou; sunyata; kenosis; basho; absolute nothingness; George H. Mead; Nishida Kitaro; Steve Odin. Includes bibliographical references (p. 65).
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Nice, Joshua. "Obsessive compulsiveness and sense of self : self-ambivalence, attachment insecurity, shame and self-compassion." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.599579.
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Ermstål, Isabella. "Perfektionism och self-compassion - En experimentell studie om hur perfektionism och self-compassion påverkar uppsatsskrivande och korrekturläsning i olika affektiva situationer." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för beteendevetenskap och lärande, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-119536.
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Syftet med denna experimentella studie var att öka kunskapen om perfektionism genom att undersöka huruvida perfektionism går att påverka, hur perfektionism påverkar prestation samt hur olika perfektionismdimensioner tar sig uttryck i olika situationer. För att undersöka detta skapades ett internetexperiment innehållande en kort version av Pennebaker’s essay writing procedure (uppsatsskrivande-uppgift), en korrekturläsningsuppgift samt självskattningsformulär för olika perfektionismdimensioner och self-compassion. Deltagarna i studien randomiserades till två olika betingelsegrupper som fick skriva om en gång då de lyckats (pos. betingelsegrupp) eller en gång då de misslyckats (neg. betingelsegrupp). Resultatet visade på ett signifikant samband mellan perfektionismdimensionen perfectionist strivings och antalet ändringar i texten hos den negativa betingelsegruppen samt ett signifikant samband mellan self-compassion och antal skrivna ord i uppsatsskrivande-uppgiften före ändring i den positiva betingelsegruppen. Resultaten visade även på signifikanta korrelationsskillnader både mellan perfektionismdimensionen perfectionist strivings och antalet ändringar i texten samt mellan self-compassion och antalet skrivna ord i uppsatsskrivande-uppgiften. Resultaten tyder på att olika perfektionismdimensioner och self-compassion blir mer framträdande samt påverkar prestation på olika sätt beroende på om situationen är positiv eller negativ.
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Andrews, Hannah. "Needing permission : the experience of self-care and self-compassion in nursing." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2018. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/113938/.
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In the National Health Service (NHS) there appears to be a culture of substantial change, with many nurses highlighting the impact of this on their own wellbeing (BPS, 2014). Reports following negative healthcare experiences, such as those reported at Mid Staffordshire (Francis, 2013), led to a number of initiatives emphasising the importance of nurses delivering compassionate care. However, there is a dearth of literature focusing on how nurses care for themselves as they try to provide compassionate care in a challenging job within a climate of constant change. The literature places a focus on the more negative aspects associated with providing care such as compassion fatigue, burnout and vicarious traumatisation, rather than on nurse's ability to look after themselves through self-care and self-compassion. The purpose of this study is to focus on experiences of self-care and self-compassion in nursing and how these experiences may relate to compassionate care giving. Constructivist Grounded Theory was used, and purposive and theoretical sampling were utilised to recruit nurses working within two NHS Trusts in the UK. Semi structured interviews were undertaken with 30 nurses from general, mental health and learning disabilities and at different levels of seniority. Data analysis was conducted in line with the Constructivist Grounded Theory approach as suggested by Charmaz (2014) and resulted in the emergence and construction of three concepts: 1) 'Hardwired to be caregivers' - vocation versus role 2) Needing a stable base and; 3) Managing the emotions of caring. All three concepts were then linked with a core process: needing permission to self-care and be self-compassionate. Nurses needed permission from others and from themselves in order to be self-caring and self-compassionate. An inability to do this appeared to impact upon their own wellbeing and compassionate care giving to others. Nurses in this study described how they struggled particularly with self-compassion. Helping nurses to be proactively more self-caring and self-compassionate may increase their ability to manage emotions and prevent some of the more negative consequences of nursing such as burnout and compassion fatigue. Participants identified that if they had formal permission (e.g. within nursing guidance) to look after themselves then they would be more likely to engage in it and benefit from self-care and self-compassion. Future research within this field is recommended in order to gain an understanding of the effects of self-care and self-compassion initiatives.
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Jones, Claire Elizabeth. "An exploration of the construct validity of self-compassion." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10036/3240.
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Self-compassion is receiving increasing interest from psychologists and researchers due to its potential role in wellbeing and mental health however, self-compassion as a unique construct has not been validated. This research utilised pilot studies in order to develop an operational definition of self-compassion, separate from other similar constructs. A multi-trait multi- method approach to construct validation was utilised to assess self-compassion‟s discriminant and convergent validity in relation to the constructs of self-esteem and compassion for others in a community sample of 307. Self-compassion was then evaluated for its role in mental health and wellbeing when assessed against the two comparison constructs. Results demonstrated discriminant validity to both comparison constructs but convergent validity only in regards to self-esteem, providing partial support for the construct validity of self- compassion. As hypothesised support was found for self-compassion as a unique predictor in regards to wellbeing, but its role could not be determined for mental health. The results are discussed in terms self-compassion‟s functional relationships with comparison constructs and therapeutic utility. Recommendations for the direction of future research are discussed.
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Svanberg, Cohen LIna, and Jonathan Cohen. "Compassion Focused Therapy vid ätstörningar- en pilotstudie." Thesis, Örebro universitet, Institutionen för juridik, psykologi och socialt arbete, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-33123.
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Compassion Focused Therapy är en integrativ transdiagnostisk behandlingsform som syftar till att öka self-compassion och minska skam och självkritik hos individer med psykisk ohälsa. Skam och självkritik har i hög grad identifierats hos personer med ätstörningar, som också ofta anses svårbehandlade. Denna studie syftade till att undersöka huruvida CFT kan vara ett behandlingsalternativ vid ätstörningar. En single-subject design med upprepade mätningar användes (n=5). Studien visade på tvetydiga resultat men indikerar att en del individer kan vara hjälpta av denna behandling. Fortsatt forskning är således motiveradCompassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is an integrative transdiagnostic treatment aiming at increasing self-compassion, and reducing levels of shame and self-criticism in individuals with psychiatric illness. High levels of shame and self-criticism have been identified in people suffering from eating disorders, disorders who are usually considered difficult to treat. The aim of the present study was to investigate if CFT could be considered a treatment option for eating disorders. A single-subject design with repeated measures was used (n=5). The results were ambiguous, though indicating that CFT could be helpful for some individuals with eating disorders. Further research is warranted.
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Rose, Victoria. "Empathy and self-compassion in post-traumatic stress disorder." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.494904.
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The area of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has attracted a large amount of research interest. Research has attempted to explore both what may contribute towards an individual developing symptoms following exposure to traumatic stressor, and what may protect against severe symptoms. This thesis considers models of PTSD, together with research exploring potential risk or protective factors associated with the onset and maintenance of symptoms of PTSD. The relationship between empathy and PTSD has attracted little research; however, studies exploring vicarious or secondary traumatisation suggest that empathy may be a risk factor for developing symptoms. An exploration of empathy and its consistent parts, including the skills of emotion recognition required in order to interact successfully and respond appropriately to others is considered. This empirical study examined the role of empathy and self-compassion within primary PTSD. Measures of empathy were provided in the form of a self-report scale and ratings of pleasantness and arousal when viewing emotional facial expressions. An emotion recognition task (following the paradigm of Joorman & Gotlib, 2006) was also completed to explore the association between levels of empathy and the skills of emotion recognition. It was predicted that motor vehicle accident exposed participants with PTSD would have higher levels of empathy and lower self-compassion than accident exposed individuals with no PTSD and a non-accident exposed group. These predicted differences were not found; however, correlations revealed a positive relationship between symptom severity and some empathy subscales.
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Newcombe, Scott Ryan. "Shame and self-compassion in members of Alcoholics Anonymous." Thesis, The Wright Institute, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10107161.
Full textAbstract:
Persons suffering from addiction have been found to have higher shame and lower self-compassion than non-addicted persons yet lower shame and greater self-compassion are associated with improved treatment outcomes (O'Connor, Berry, Inaba, Weiss, & Morrison, 1994; Wiechelt & Sales, 2001; Brooks, Kay-Lambkin, Bowman & Childs, 2012). This study examined the relationship between various aspects of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program and levels of shame and self-compassion. The sample consisted of 148 active AA members; 32% had been members for over ten years whereas 16% had under a year of sobriety. The results found significant negative correlations between level of engagement in AA as measured by the AA Involvement Scale, length of time attending AA meetings, time clean and sober and shame as measured by the Internalized Shame Scale. The study also found significant positive correlations between level of engagement in AA, length of time attending AA meetings, time clean and sober and self-compassion as measured by the Self Compassion Scale. Out of a range of AA activities that included prayer and meditation, working with a sponsor and meeting attendance, the activities most predictive of lower shame and higher self-compassion were active social activities such as meeting with AA members outside of meetings, meeting with sponsees, and being a speaker at meetings. The study also found that participants who completed the fifth step (sharing their amends with their sponsor) had significantly lower levels of shame and higher levels of self-compassion compared to those who hadn't done a fifth step. Likewise, participants who completed the ninth step (making their amends) had significantly lower levels of shame and higher levels of self-compassion than those who had not completed this step. In a step-wise regression that regressed level of engagement in AA, time attending AA meeting, time clean and sober, and completion of the fifth and ninth steps onto shame and self-compassion, only time clean and sober was significant in predicting lower shame and higher self-compassion; this accounted for 21% and 20% of the variance in outcome, respectively. These findings suggest that AA members who actively engage in the program experience continued benefits with more sobriety, lower shame and higher self-compassion. Recommendations for further research are discussed.
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Sanderson, Samantha. "Levels of Self-Compassion Among Injured Division I Athletes." Wright State University Professional Psychology Program / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wsupsych1466422489.
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Harris, Michelle Allison. "Personality and Self-Compassion of Former Victims of Bullying." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/144360.
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Makadi, Elisa. "Exploring Connections Between Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, and Social Anxiety." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/38316.
Full textAbstract:
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders, with lifetime prevalence rates of 3 to 13% (Statistics Canada, 2015). SAD is characterized by excessive fear of being negatively judged or scrutinized by others in social or performance situations (Cox, Fleet, & Stein, 2004). Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between SAD and self-compassion, and SAD and mindfulness. People with SAD show lower levels of self-compassion compared to healthy controls (Werner et al., 2012), and some research (Neff and Germer, 2013) has indicated that self-compassion can be taught as a skill to enhance levels of self-compassion and overall well-being. As well, mindfulness is a related concept that has been linked to SAD; those with SAD tend to see improvement to their symptoms with mindfulness-based interventions (e.g., Koszycki et al., 2016). Self-compassion and mindfulness are related but distinct constructs that are thought to influence a variety of mental health outcomes. However, few studies have evaluated these constructs concurrently in the context of mental health. The current study examined associations between trait mindfulness, self-compassion and clinical variables in 136 patients with at least moderately severe social anxiety disorder (SAD). Bivariate correlations revealed that higher ratings of self-compassion and facets of mindfulness were associated with less severe social anxiety and depressive symptoms and better functioning and self-esteem. Self-compassion emerged as the strongest predictor of SAD outcomes in regression models. Mediation analysis found that the mindfulness facet Describe served as an indirect mediator in the relationship between self-compassion and severity of clinician-rated social anxiety symptoms. Self-compassion emerged as a mediator between each facet of mindfulness and severity of self- and clinician-rated social anxiety symptoms. Overall, findings from this preliminary cross-sectional study suggest that self-compassion may be a robust indicator of SAD outcomes, and that the ability to label one’s experience may partially explain the self-compassion–SAD symptom relationship. Implications for further SAD research are discussed.