Short Online Compassionate Intervention Based On Mindful Self-compassion Program

Abstract

Objectives. The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program is an empirically-developed group intervention aimed to cultivate self-compassion. Sample and setting. A randomized control trial was conducted with pre-, post-measurements, and two-month follow-up. A total of 122 participants were recruited from a general community by convenience sampling. They were randomly allocated to the Compassionate intervention (CI) based on MSC and to a control condition with no treatment. Hypotheses. The authors hypothesised that participation in the CI based on the MSC would decrease self-criticism and increase self-reassurance and self-compassion. Statistical analysis. SPSS Statistics-20, program R, and the package nparLD for the statistical analysis. Non-parametric rank-based test for longitudinal data (pretest-postest design) was employed. Results. This version of the CI based on the MSC significantly increased levels of selfcompassion and self-reassurance as reported immediately post intervention and at two-month follow-up. The CI based on the MSC was also effective at reducing self-uncompassionate responding, which was only present immediately post intervention. Self-compassion is responsive to improvement following a short-term online intervention of CI based on the MSC which suggests that interventions designed to increase self-compassion can be provided online to broader populations without direct involvement of mental health professionals. Study limitation. Participants allocated to the CI were not exposed to the full experience of the MSC but only to a selected number of exercises from the MSC program