scholarly journals Compassion Focused Therapy Groups: Evidence from Routine Clinical Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
James McManus ◽  
Zoe Tsivos ◽  
Sarah Woodward ◽  
Janelle Fraser ◽  
Rosalyn Hartwell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Routine Clinical Practice ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Adult Mental Health ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy ◽  
Group Self

ObjectivesPsychological therapy groups for people in adult mental health services can relieve waiting list pressures and potentially reduce stigma and social isolation. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) focuses on shame and self-criticism. The aim of this study was to evaluate a transdiagnostic CFT group.DesignQuantitative and qualitative data were obtained from 13 people who completed the group.MethodsParticipants completed a range of pre- and post-group self-report outcome measures that assess self-criticism and self-compassion.ResultsStatistically significant improvements were found on all measures used, suggesting that attending the CFT group did result in meaningful changes. People who completed the group also provided positive feedback about the experience.ConclusionsThe results suggest that running CFT groups is feasible and acceptable to clients with a range of psychiatric diagnoses as part of their care from community mental health teams. People who completed the group demonstrated significant improvements. A proportion of people did not complete the group, and more research is required about the reasons for this. Limitations of this study are considered together with future directions for research into CFT.

scholarly journals Cultivating the compassionate self against depression: An exploration of processes of change

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S356-S356 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Matos ◽  
J. Duarte ◽  
C. Duarte ◽  
J. Pinto-Gouveia ◽  
P. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionCompassion and self-compassion can be protective factors against mental health difficulties, in particular depression. The cultivation of the compassionate self, associated with a range of practices such as slow and deeper breathing, compassionate voice tones and facial expressions, and compassionate focusing, is central to compassion focused therapy (Gilbert, 2010). However, no study has examined the processes of change that mediate the impact of compassionate self-cultivation practices on depressive symptoms.AimsThe aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a brief compassionate self training (CST) intervention on depressive symptoms, and explore the psychological processes that mediate the change at post intervention.MethodsUsing a longitudinal design, participants (general population and college students) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Compassionate self training (n = 56) and wait-list control (n = 37). Participants in the CST condition were instructed to practice CST exercises for 15 minutes everyday or in moments of stress during two weeks. Self-report measures of depression, self-criticism, shame and compassion, were completed at pre and post in both conditions.ResultsResults showed that, at post-intervention, participants in the CST condition decreased depression, self-criticism and shame, and increased self-compassion and openness to receive compassion from others. Mediation analyses revealed that changes in depression from pre to post intervention were mediated by decreases in self-criticism and shame, and increases in self-compassion and openness to the compassion from others.ConclusionsThese findings support the efficacy of compassionate self training components on lessening depressive symptoms and promoting mental health.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals A Corpus Linguistic Analysis of Public Tumblr Blog Posts on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy M. Greaves ◽  
Cass Dykeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Emotional Pain ◽  
Corpus Linguistic ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy ◽  
Blog Posts

Rates of Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has have steadily been on the risen among in adolescents and young adults. This study collected pro-NSSI public blog posts from Tumblr on pro-NSSI and analyzed the content linguistically using LIWC software. , examining the The NSSI -specific words, the linguistics properties and the psychological linguistic properties were examined. The results align with similar studies conducted on understanding the language markers of mental health. For NSSI specific word categories, the methods of engaging in NSSI was the most frequently used in the Tumblr blogs. This aligns with literature about the need for people to express their emotional pain to others who may understand. The linguistic properties demonstrated some unique results that can be best explained by the numbing feeling that is found in individuals who utilize NSSI and their tendency to avoid expressing painful experiences in a manner that would increase their vulnerability. The psychological properties of these public Tumblr posts were revealed through the dominantly in a negative emotional tone of the writing, which is also indicative of anyone struggling with severe mental illness. These findings suggest that treatment which specializes in shame and increasing self-compassion, such as Compassion Focused Therapy, would be more beneficial to these individuals who struggle with pain, shame and emotional distress than current treatment programs.

scholarly journals Mental Health of Medical Workers in Japan during COVID-19: Relationships with Loneliness, Hope and Self-Compassion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Akihoko Ozaki ◽  
Hirotomo Miyatake ◽  
Chie Tsunetoshi ◽  
Yoshitaka Nishikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
General Population ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Self Compassion

Abstract The current pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has negatively impacted medical workers’ mental health in many countries including Japan. Although research identified poor mental health of medical workers in COVID-19, protective factors for their mental health remain to be appraised. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate relationships between mental health problems, loneliness, hope and self-compassion among Japanese medical workers, and compare with the general population. Online self-report measures regarding those four constructs were completed by 142 medical workers and 138 individuals in the general population. T-tests and multiple regression analysis were performed. Medical workers had higher levels of mental health problems and loneliness, and lower levels of hope and self-compassion than the general population. Loneliness was the strongest predictor of mental health problems in the medical workers. Findings suggest that Japanese medical workplaces may benefit from targeting workplace loneliness to protect staff mental health from the current crisis.

Retrospective and concurrent self-report of behavioral inhibition and their relation to adult mental health

1992 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Steven Reznick ◽  
Irene M. Hegeman ◽  
Emily R. Kaufman ◽  
Scott W. Woods ◽  
Marlene Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
The State ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Unique Variance ◽  
Adult Mental Health

AbstractFour studies are reported in which an interview or questionnaire is used to measure the relation between behavioral inhibition, defined as consistent restraint in response to unfamiliar social or nonsocial stimuli, and adult mental health. In Study 1, undergraduates were tested using a retrospective self-report questionnaire. Those who reported more behaviors suggesting childhood inhibition also reported more mental health problems. Study 2 was an attempt to establish the postdictive validity of the measurement of childhood inhibition. College students and their parents completed the questionnaire independently and were in extremely strong agreement regarding the student's inhibited behaviors as a child. In Study 3, self-reported contemporary behaviors suggesting inhibition correlated with the retrospective self-report of inhibition. Both measures correlated with the State Anxiety Subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and both accounted for unique variance in anxiety, but only contemporary inhibition accounted for unique variance in depression. In Study 4, adults who had been treated for panic disorder or depression were interviewed and reported more behaviors indicative of inhibition during childhood than did control subjects. These four studies support the usefulness of retrospective self-report as a measure of childhood inhibition and are compatible with the hypothesis that a tendency toward inhibited behavior in childhood or adulthood may be a risk factor for mental health problems.

scholarly journals Self-Compassion in Irish Social Work Students: Relationships between Resilience, Engagement and Motivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8187
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Freya Tsuda-McCaie ◽  
Ann-Marie Edwards ◽  
Divya Bhandari ◽  
Geraldine Maughan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Intrinsic Motivation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Different Levels

Self-compassion recognises a meaning of life’s suffering, aligning with existential positive psychology. Although this construct is known to protect our mental health, how to augment self-compassion remains to be evaluated. Social work students suffer from high rates of mental health problems; however, research into self-compassion in this population remains to be developed. This study aimed to evaluate (i) relationships between self-compassion and more traditional positive constructs—resilience, engagement and motivation, and (ii) differences of these constructs between the levels of studies to inform how self-compassion can be enhanced in social work students. A total of 129 Irish social work students completed self-report scales regarding self-compassion, resilience, engagement and motivation. Correlation, regression and one-way MANOVA were conducted. Self-compassion was associated with gender, age, resilience, engagement and intrinsic motivation. Resilience and intrinsic motivation were significant predictors of self-compassion. There was no significant difference in the levels of these constructs between the levels of studies. Findings suggest that social work educators across different levels can strengthen students’ resilience and intrinsic motivation to cultivate the students’ self-compassion. Moreover, the close relationships between self-compassion, resilience and intrinsic motivation indicate that orienting students to the meaning of the studies helps their mental health.

scholarly journals Cross-Cultural Comparison of Mental Health Between German and South African Employees: Shame, Self-Compassion, Work Engagement, and Work Motivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Claude-Hélène Mayer ◽  
Elisabeth Vanderheiden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South African ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Compassion

The negative impact of the coronavirus disease outbreak 2019 (COVID-19) on work mental health is reported in many countries including Germany and South Africa: two culturally distinct countries. This study aims to compare mental health between the two workforces to appraise how cultural characteristics may impact their mental health status. A cross-sectional study was used with self-report measures regarding (i) mental health problems, (ii) mental health shame, (iii) self-compassion, (iv) work engagement and (v) work motivation. 257 German employees and 225 South African employees have completed those scales. This study reports results following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. T-tests, correlation and regression analyses were performed. German employees had lower mental health problems and mental health shame, and higher self-compassion than South Africans. Mental health problems were positively associated with mental health shame and amotivation, and negatively associated with work engagement and intrinsic motivation in both groups. Lastly, self-compassion, a PP 2.0 construct, was the strongest predictor for mental health problems in both countries. Our results suggest (i) that German culture’s long-term orientation, uncertainty avoidance and restraint may help explain these differences, and (ii) that self-compassion was important to mental health in both countries. While the levels of mental health differed between the two countries, cultivating self-compassion may be an effective way to protect mental health of employees in those countries. Findings can help inform managers and HR staff to refine their wellbeing strategies to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic, especially in German-South African organizations.

Compassion Focused Therapy After Traumatic Brain Injury: Theoretical Foundations and a Case Illustration

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Ashworth ◽  
Fergus Gracey ◽  
Paul Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Emotional Adjustment ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Limited Effectiveness ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy

AbstractAcquired brain injury (ABI) commonly results in a range of interacting difficulties including regulating emotion, managing social interactions and cognitive changes. Emotional adjustment to ABI can be difficult and requires adaptation of standard psychological therapies. This article outlines a case where cognitive– behavioural therapy (CBT) was of limited effectiveness but was significantly enhanced with compassion focused therapy (CFT). This article describes Jenny, a 23-year-old woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury 3 years prior to attending rehabilitation. Jenny presented with low self-esteem and mental health difficulties. Neuropsychological assessment revealed executive functioning difficulties. Jenny entered a holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation program aimed at improving complex interacting difficulties, receiving CBT as part of this. As CBT was of limited effectiveness, reformulation of Jenny's difficulties was presented to her based on CFT. The CFT intervention employed aimed to help Jenny develop self-validation and acceptance through producing feelings of kindness and warmth. Shifting the affective textures to the self is a key process for CFT. Self-report measures of mental health and self-esteem showed positive changes and the usefulness of CFT for Jenny. Adaptations in the context of Jenny's ABI are discussed. In conclusion, CFT may be useful in conceptualising emotional responses and developing intervention in rehabilitation after ABI, especially because CFT is based on a neurophysiological model of affect regulation that pays particular attention to the importance of affiliative emotions in the regulation of threat-focused emotion and self-construction.

Effects of a 12-Week Mindfulness, Compassion, and Loving Kindness Program on Chronic Depression: A Pilot Within-Subjects Wait-List Controlled Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Graser ◽  
Volkmar Höfling ◽  
Charlotte Weβlau ◽  
Adriana Mendes ◽  
Ulrich Stangier
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Chronic Depression ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Compassionate Love ◽  
Loving Kindness ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy

In this pilot study,N= 11 patients suffering from chronic depression were treated in a 12-week group program consisting of basic mindfulness exercises from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and compassion exercises from Compassion Focused Therapy and Loving Kindness Meditation. In a 3-month waiting period prior to treatment, depression symptoms both in self-report and clinician rating did not change significantly. After treatment, depression severity was significantly reduced. After a 3-month follow-up, the symptoms further improved, with almost large effect sizes being observed in primary outcome measures.Changes in emotion regulation styles reflected by a significant increase in acceptance and significant decrease in suppression of emotions were observed at follow-up. Rumination about oneself was also significantly reduced at follow-up. Compassionate love and mindfulness were increased at follow-up, no effects were found on the Self-Compassion Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Given further confirming studies for this approach, it might improve treatment options for patients suffering from chronic depression.

Screening for attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology in adult mental health clinics

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Adamis ◽  
I. Graffeo ◽  
R. Kumar ◽  
D. Meagher ◽  
D. O’Neill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Health Clinics ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Adult Mental Health ◽  
Full Study

ObjectivesThis study estimates the symptomatology of attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adult mental health services (AMHS) outpatient clinics.MethodsAll consecutive patients attending any of the outpatients’ clinics in Sligo/Leitrim AMHS were invited to participate. Participants completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) self-report. Clinical notes were reviewed to identify those with a pre-existing ADHD diagnosis.ResultsFrom 822 attending the clinics, 62 did not meet inclusion criteria, 97 declined to participate and 29 had incomplete data in either of the screening scales, leaving 634 (77%) eligible for full study analysis. Mean age was 40.38 (s.d.: 12.85), and 326 (51.4%) were females. In total, 215 (33.9%) screened positive on the WURS for childhood onset ADHD and 219 (34.5%) participants scored positive on the ASRS. Applying a more stringent criteria of scoring above cut-offs on both scales, suggested 131 (20.7%) screened positive on both. Only three (2.3%) had a prior clinical diagnosis.ConclusionsThis preliminary study suggests the possibility of relatively higher rates of ADHD in a general AMHS than previously thought, however, given the possibility of overlapping symptoms with other major psychiatric disorders in adulthood and recall bias further research is needed before drawing firm conclusions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document