'It felt like I was giving a present to myself': an exploration of service-users' experience of developing self-compassion

This thesis explored service-users' experience of developing self-compassion using Compassionate Mind Training (CMT). A systematic review of the existing literature on compassion and compassion-based interventions identified the primarily focused of research has been on symptom outcome measures utilizing quantitative approaches. No study that explored the experiences and processes of developing self-compassion was identified. The aims and epistemological stance of the researcher led to a qualitative methodology being used. Once ethical approval was gained, six participants were recruited from two CMT programmes, being run by the same facilitators. All service-users who completed the programme reported a development of self-compassion. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured interview schedule. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was selected to analyse the transcribed data. The analysis of the data identified four super-ordinate themes: essential components of self-compassion; process of self-compassion development over time; group experiences; and negotiating change. The first two themes focused on the development and experience of self-compassion. The second two themes included the experience of developing self-compassion in a group and the general change process. Each theme is discussed and presented with supporting quotes. The study found that service-users are able to develop components of self-compassion using CMT. However, continued practice of compassionate behaviours needs to follow the end of the programme for self-compassion to become habitual. The study also identified a number of group factors and processes that prevented or promoted therapeutic change. The results are discussed with reference to the current literature on self-compassion, compassion-based interventions, group processes, mechanisms of change, and further investigation. A model of self-compassion development is proposed. Finally, the researcher's critical reflections of the research process are presented

'It felt like I was giving a present to myself': an exploration of service-users' experience of developing self-compassion

This thesis explored service-users' experience of developing self-compassion using Compassionate Mind Training (CMT). A systematic review of the existing literature on compassion and compassion-based interventions identified the primarily focused of research has been on symptom outcome measures utilizing quantitative approaches. No study that explored the experiences and processes of developing self-compassion was identified. The aims and epistemological stance of the researcher led to a qualitative methodology being used. Once ethical approval was gained, six participants were recruited from two CMT programmes, being run by the same facilitators. All service-users who completed the programme reported a development of self-compassion. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured interview schedule. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was selected to analyse the transcribed data. The analysis of the data identified four super-ordinate themes: essential components of self-compassion; process of self-compassion development over time; group experiences; and negotiating change. The first two themes focused on the development and experience of self-compassion. The second two themes included the experience of developing self-compassion in a group and the general change process. Each theme is discussed and presented with supporting quotes. The study found that service-users are able to develop components of self-compassion using CMT. However, continued practice of compassionate behaviours needs to follow the end of the programme for self-compassion to become habitual. The study also identified a number of group factors and processes that prevented or promoted therapeutic change. The results are discussed with reference to the current literature on self-compassion, compassion-based interventions, group processes, mechanisms of change, and further investigation. A model of self-compassion development is proposed. Finally, the researcher's critical reflections of the research process are presented