A Study of Mindfulness and Self-Care: A Path to Self-Compassion for Female Therapists in Training

Abstract Objective This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS, 33-item) in a Brazilian hospice and palliative care context. Method This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 336 Brazilian hospice and palliative care providers. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer — Quality of Life Group Translation Procedure protocol was used for the translation and the cultural adaptation process. Psychometric properties supporting the use of the MSCS were examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and correlation analysis with other instruments to assess congruence to related constructs (resilience and self-compassion). The reliability of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the MSCS was assessed using Cronbach's α and composite reliability coefficients. Results The six-factor (33-item) model showed a good fit to the data, with satisfactory reliability indices and adequate representation of the scale's internal structure. Further validity is evidenced in the significant, positive correlations found between the MSCS, and similar well-being constructs, namely the Self-Compassion and Resilience scales. Significance of results The findings reveal that the MSCS (33-item) is a valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate instrument to examine the practice of mindful self-care by hospice and palliative care providers in Brazil. More broadly, it represents a promising instrument for future research into self-care practices and well-being among Brazilian healthcare providers.

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Self‐compassion moderates the perceived stress and self‐care behaviors link in women with breast cancer

Psycho-Oncology ◽

10.1002/pon.5369 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 927-933 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Abbas Abdollahi ◽

Azadeh Taheri ◽

Kelly A. Allen

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Self Care ◽

Self Compassion

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Predicting Professional Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction in Spanish Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17124366 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (12) ◽

pp. 4366

Author(s):

Noemí Sansó ◽

Laura Galiana ◽

Amparo Oliver ◽

Macià Tomás-Salvá ◽

Gabriel Vidal-Blanco

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Self Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Practice Environment ◽

Professional Quality Of Life ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Professional Quality

Background: Dealing with suffering, grief, and death on a daily basis, together with the particular working conditions, may produce high levels of burnout in nurses, and hinder their well-being. The purpose of this research is to study the effect of self-care and self-compassion on nurses’ professional quality of life and well-being. Methods: The research had a cross-sectional design, used correlational methodology and a structural equation model was hypothesized. Along the study, 210 nurses from the Healthcare Public System of the Balearic Islands, participated. The study took place from June to September 2018. Results: The hypothesized model showed an overall adequate fit. Practice environment predicted both self-care and self-compassion, whereas nursing stress did not. Self-care and self-compassion predicted nurses’ professional quality of life, whereas the practice environment and nursing stress were not predictors. Finally, professional quality of life showed a positive relationship with life satisfaction. Conclusions: The study presents a comprehensive structural equation model in which self-care and self-compassion are the best predictors of nurses’ professional quality of life. A direct relation of professional quality of life and nurses’ well-being has also been found, while controlling for the effects of nurses’ practice environment and stress.

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Well-Being Workshops in Eating Disorder Wards and Their Perceived Benefits to Patients and the Multi-Disciplinary Team: A Pilot Study

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci9100247 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 247

Author(s):

Katherine Smith ◽

Yasemin Dandil ◽

Claire Baillie ◽

Kate Tchanturia

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorder ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Self Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Content Structure ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Staff Burnout ◽

Definition Of ◽

Multi Disciplinary Team

A more holistic definition of patients’ recovery from eating disorders (EDs) highlights that well-being interventions linked to self-compassion are under-researched and under-utilised. Staff burnout is also common in ED units (EDUs), linked to difficult relationships with patients and poor self-care, and is not well addressed. Therefore we piloted a series of joint well-being workshops to target these issues. Joint workshops were offered to patients (n = 55) and the multi-disciplinary team MDT (n = 34) in adult ED wards over two years. Experiences were evaluated quantitively and qualitatively. Mood post-workshops increased significantly for both groups (patients: p < 0.001, r = 0.49; MDT: z = 3.043, p = 0.002, r = 0.41), with the feeling that they deserved to take time for self-care (patients: z = 2.419, p = 0.016, r = 0.31); MDT: z = 2.814, p = 0.005, r = 0.38). Workshops were found to be enjoyable and highly relevant to well-being, but less useful by patients. Thematic analysis identified six themes: Enjoyment, recovery and well-being, relationships, content, structure and future ideas. Both groups experienced improved mood and increased enjoyment and awareness of well-being. Patient isolation was addressed, and the staff experienced stress reduction and increased productivity. Both groups experienced improved relationships.

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On self-compassion and self-care in nursing: Selfish or essential for compassionate care?

International Journal of Nursing Studies ◽

10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.10.009 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 791-793 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Jason Mills ◽

Timothy Wand ◽

Jennifer A. Fraser

Keyword(s):

Self Care ◽

Compassionate Care ◽

Self Compassion

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The Words We Use, the Actions We Take, and the Perceptions We Hold: First-step assessments to inform wellness curricula and burnout prevention programming

Journal of Wellness ◽

10.18297/jwellness/vol3/iss1/6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Karen Horneffer-Ginter ◽

Keyword(s):

Self Care ◽

Initial Step ◽

Well Being ◽

Medical Schools ◽

Prevention Programming ◽

Self Disclosure ◽

Curricular Development ◽

Self Compassion ◽

School Faculty

Introduction: In response to concerns about burnout, many medical schools have been initiating wellness curricula and programming. A key to the success of these efforts is having engagement from targeted audiences. Gathering input from these groups regarding preferred lexicon, wellness actions, and perceptions of judgement or guilt around such actions can help in developing and promoting such curricular and programmatic offerings. Engagement is especially important when it comes to the predictors of burnout (e.g., self-care, self-compassion, and emotional self-disclosure). Methods: Utilizing a focus-group methodology as a preliminary step, medical school faculty and students discussed terms regarding burnout predictors. Thematic analysis using grounded theory was used to analyze transcriptions with the generated preferred terms being incorporated into a follow-up survey. Surveys were completed by 23 faculty, 65 students, 23 residents, and 124 staff (n = 235). The survey asked for ranked preferences of lexicon terms, ratings of engagement and importance around wellness actions, perceptions of judgement and guilt around engaging in self-care, and disengagement and exhaustion via the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Results: Overall, results revealed a preference for alternative language (i.e., “personal well-being” (p < 0.001), “being kind to yourself” (p < 0.001), “sharing your feelings” (p < 0.001)) compared to phrases commonly used in the wellness literature (i.e., self-care, self-compassion, and emotional self-disclosure). Engagement in self-care (p < 0.001), and self-compassion actions (p = 0.001) were inversely correlated with burnout, while perceptions of being judged (p < 0.001) and feeling guilty for self-care (p < 0.001) were positively correlated with burnout. Conclusion: Incorporating preferred lexicon terms and mitigation factors (correlating with the reduction of burnout) into wellness curricular development is encouraged as a valuable initial step for medical schools and organizations as they reach out to their intended audiences.

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Resilience and Challenges of Working Mothers during COVID-19

INYI Journal ◽

10.25071/1929-8471.93 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marina Heifetz

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Working Mothers ◽

Self Care ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Social Connections ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Activity Time ◽

Self Compassion ◽

The Many

The pandemic has brought on much hardships and highlighted the many inequities in our lives, including the increasing workload for working mothers. Compared to pre-pandemic, maternal research has found mothers to have increases in anxiety and depression during the pandemic. Given the added stressors of the pandemic, this paper aims to highlight some evidence-based strategies that mothers can use to support their mental health during the pandemic and beyond. These mental health strategies include (1) Self-compassion and mindfulness (2) Physical self-care (sleep and physical activity time); (3) Connecting time (maintaining social connections and shared responsibilities); and (4) Playtime (having fun!).

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