Work

Meeting Suffering With Kindness: Effects of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention for Female College Students

Year: 2014

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the effectiveness of a newly developed 3-week self-compassion group intervention for enhancing resilience and well-being among female college students. METHOD: Fifty-two students were randomly assigned to either an intervention designed to teach skills of self-compassion (n = 27) or an active control group intervention in which general time management skills were taught (n = 25). Both interventions comprised 3 group meetings held over 3 weeks. To measure resilience and well-being gains, participants filled out a number of questionnaires before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Results showed that the self-compassion intervention led to significantly greater increases in self-compassion, mindfulness, optimism, and self-efficacy, as well as significantly greater decreases in rumination in comparison to the active control intervention. Whereas both interventions increased life satisfaction and connectedness, no differences were found for worry and mood. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a brief self-compassion intervention has potential for improving student resilience and well-being.

Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology

DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22076

Authors: Elke Smeets, Kristin Neff, Hugo Alberts, Madelon Peters

Institutions: Maastricht University, The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Universiteit Maastricht