Self-Compassion and Self-Criticism in Trainee Mental Health Professionals: Feasibility and initial outcomes of a new Compassion-Focused intervention for trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners

Abstract

Compassion within healthcare services has been of growing interest in the literature. The strenuous and pressurised nature of healthcare systems has been identified as a key factor that can compromise the provision of compassionate care and psychological wellbeing in healthcare professionals. Cultivating self-compassion within this population and in particular mental health professionals, has been indicated as a potential self-care resource and means of enhancing the three flows of compassion: compassion towards the self, towards others and from others. A further empirical exploration of this area of the literature, forms the focus of this tripart thesis. Part one is a systematic literature review examining the efficacy of self-compassion interventions for healthcare professionals. The findings of seventeen quantitative studies were synthesised, which indicated that a range of interventions were effective in enhancing self-compassion, and enhancing other facets of wellbeing in healthcare professionals. Key methodological limitations of the studies were discussed and recommendations for future research and reviews were proposed. Part two reports the findings of a pilot study examining the feasibility and initial outcomes of a novel compassion-focused intervention for trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (TPWPs). Quantitative data was collected and analysed to assess feasibility and pre-post intervention change in self-compassion, self-criticism, self-reassurance, mental wellbeing, social comparison, beliefs about emotions, stress and external and internal shame. Feasibility was demonstrated in relation to the incorporation of the intervention into the course curriculum for TPWPs, however, there were significant levels of participant attrition at follow-up time points. That said, of the data collected, initial outcomes showed that self-compassion, helpful beliefs about emotions, mental wellbeing and external and internal shame significantly improved pre-post intervention, with gains in self-compassion being maintained at two-month follow up. Interestingly however, adherence to follow-up exercises were not associated with improvements in outcomes. Study limitations were discussed and future directions for research were proposed to build on the preliminary findings identified. This study was conducted as part of a joint research project with another Doctorate in Clinical Psychology trainee at University College London (Gibbons, 2021). Part three is a critical appraisal summarising reflections on psychological interventions for healthcare professionals within the context of personal and professional development and a theoretical framework of personal practice (PP). Challenges encountered and practical and ethical considerations made whilst conducting the empirical study in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are also reflected upon and discussed