Improving Mental Health Among Transgender Adolescents: Implementing Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens

2021 ◽  
pp. 074355842110621
Author(s):  
Karen Bluth ◽  
Christine Lathren ◽  
Melissa Clepper-Faith ◽  
Lillia M. Larson ◽  
Daniel O. Ogunbamowo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Course Changes ◽  
Making Friends ◽  
The University

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of an online self-compassion intervention for transgender adolescents, with the aim of improving mental health. Participants identified as transgender or gender expansive, were between the ages of 13 and 17, and lived in the U.S. or Canada. The empirically-based self-compassion program, Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens (formerly Making Friends with Yourself) was implemented in eight 1.5 hour sessions on the Zoom platform by two trained instructors. Surveys were administered pre-, post-intervention, and at 3 months follow-up, and qualitative data were collected through end-of-program interviews and open-ended questions on the post-survey. All protocols were approved by the university IRB. Quantitative data analysis included repeated measures ANOVAs, and qualitative data were analyzed via both inductive and deductive methods. Results indicated that all but one psychosocial measure significantly improved from pre- to post-intervention, which then significantly improved at 3-month follow-up; most other improvements were maintained at follow-up. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: virtual safe space; connection to body; personal growth; and recommended course changes and are discussed. Results suggest that self-compassion interventions can be incorporated into therapy programs to support and improve mental health for transgender adolescents.

scholarly journals A Novel Mindful-Compassion Art-Based Therapy for Reducing Burnout and Promoting Resilience Among Healthcare Workers: Findings From a Waitlist Randomized Control Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Hau Yan Ho ◽  
Geraldine Tan-Ho ◽  
Thuy Anh Ngo ◽  
Grace Ong ◽  
Poh Heng Chong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Self Compassion

Protecting the mental health of healthcare workers is an urgent global public health priority. Healthcare workers, especially those immersed in palliative care, are prone to burnout due to the intense emotions associated with end-of-life caregiving. This study examines the efficacy of a novel, multimodal, and group-based Mindful-Compassion Art-based Therapy (MCAT) that integrates reflective self-awareness with creative emotional expression for protecting healthcare workers’ mental health. A dual-arm open-label waitlist randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 56 healthcare workers were recruited from the largest homecare hospice in Singapore and randomized to the immediate-treatment condition of a standardized 6-week, 18-hours MCAT intervention (n=29), or the waitlist-control condition (n=27). Self-administered outcome measures on burnout, resilience, emotional regulation, self-compassion, death attitudes, and quality of life were collected at baseline, post-intervention/second-baseline at 6weeks, and follow-up/post-intervention at 12weeks. Results from mixed model ANOVAs reveal that treatment group participants experienced significant reduction in mental exhaustion, as well as significant improvements in overall emotional regulation, nonreactivity to intrusive thoughts, approach acceptance of death, and afterlife belief as compared to waitlist-control immediately after MCAT completion. Effect sizes of these impacts ranged from medium to large (η2=0.65 to 0.170). Results from one-way ANOVAs further reveal that the treatment gains of reduced mental exhaustion and increased emotional regulation were maintained among treatment group participants at 12-weeks follow-up compared to baseline, with new benefits identified. These include increased ability to observe and describe one’s experiences, elevated overall self-compassion, greater mindful awareness, enhanced common humanity, and better quality of life. Effect sizes of these impacts were large (η2=0.128 to 0.298). These findings reflect the robust effectiveness and positive residual effects of MCAT for reducing burnout, building resilience, nurturing compassion, fostering collegial support, and promoting mental wellness among healthcare workers. The clinical model and applicability of MCAT in larger and more diverse caregiving contexts, such as family dementia care, are discussed.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT03440606, #NCT04548089.

scholarly journals The Mental Health and Wellbeing of University Students: Acceptability, Effectiveness and Mechanisms of a Mindfulness-Based Course

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6023
Author(s):  
Emma Medlicott ◽  
Alice Phillips ◽  
Catherine Crane ◽  
Verena Hinze ◽  
Laura Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Academic Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Academic Goals ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Self Compassion

Mental health problems are relatively common during university and adversely affect academic outcomes. Evidence suggests that mindfulness can support the mental health and wellbeing of university students. We explored the acceptability and effectiveness of an 8-week instructor-led mindfulness-based course (“Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World”; Williams and Penman, 2011) on improving wellbeing and mental health (self-reported distress), orientation and motivation towards academic goals, and the mechanisms driving these changes. Eighty-six undergraduate and post-graduate students (>18 years) participated. Students engaged well with the course, with 36 (48.0%) completing the whole programme, 52 (69.3%) attending 7 out of 8 sessions, and 71 (94.7%) completing at least half. Significant improvements in wellbeing and mental health were found post-intervention and at 6-week follow-up. Improvements in wellbeing were mediated by mindfulness, self-compassion, and resilience. Improvements in mental health were mediated by improvements in mindfulness and resilience but not self-compassion. Significant improvements in students’ orientation to their academic goal, measured by “commitment” to, “likelihood” of achieving, and feeling more equipped with the “skills and resources” needed, were found at post-intervention and at 6-week follow-up. Whilst exploratory, the results suggest that this mindfulness intervention is acceptable and effective for university students and can support academic study.

scholarly journals A Short Mindfulness Retreat for Students to Reduce Stress and Promote Self-Compassion: Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Exploring Both an Indoor and a Natural Outdoor Retreat Setting

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 910
Author(s):  
Dorthe Djernis ◽  
Mia S. O’Toole ◽  
Lone O. Fjorback ◽  
Helle Svenningsen ◽  
Mimi Y. Mehlsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Here, we developed and examined a new way of disseminating mindfulness in nature to people without meditation experience, based on the finding that mindfulness conducted in natural settings may have added benefits. We evaluated a 5-day residential programme aiming to reduce stress and improve mental health outcomes. We compared an indoor and an outdoor version of the programme to a control group in a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). Sixty Danish university students experiencing moderate to high levels of stress were randomised into a residential mindfulness programme indoors (n = 20), in nature (n = 22), or a control group (n = 18). Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale and the Self-Compassion Scale (primary outcomes) along with additional secondary outcome measures at the start and end of the program and 3 months after. Stress was decreased with small to medium effect sizes post-intervention, although not statistically significant. Self-compassion increased post-intervention, but effect sizes were small and not significant. At follow-up, changes in stress were not significant, however self-compassion increased for both interventions with medium-sized effects. For the intervention groups, medium- to large-sized positive effects on trait mindfulness after a behavioural task were found post-intervention, and small- to medium-sized effects in self-reported mindfulness were seen at follow-up. Connectedness to Nature was the only outcome measure with an incremental effect in nature, exceeding the control with a medium-sized effect at follow-up. All participants in the nature arm completed the intervention, and so did 97% of the participants in all three arms. Overall, the results encourage the conduct of a larger-scale RCT, but only after adjusting some elements of the programme to better fit and take advantage of the potential benefits of the natural environment.

scholarly journals Time Waits for No One: Longitudinal Study on the Effects of an Anti-Stigma Seminar on the Psychology Student Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5441
Author(s):  
Luca Pingani ◽  
Sara Evans-Lacko ◽  
Sandra Coriani ◽  
Silvia Ferrari ◽  
Maria Filosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Student Population ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
T1 And T2 ◽  
One Year ◽  
Intended Behaviour

The primary aim is to describe the changes in the knowledge of mental health conditions, the attitudes toward the mentally ill, and the intended behaviour towards people with mental illness among the entire student population of the third year of a degree course in Psychology. A total of 570 students attended a seminar on stigma towards mental illness and were invited to complete an online survey which collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and three validated questionnaires evaluating different aspects of stigma at three different time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at one year follow up). A total of 253 students (44.39%) completed the questionnaires at t0, t1, and t2. The mean age of the sample was 23.7 (SD = ±5.89), and 86.96% (n = 220) were females. Between t0 and t1, a statistically significant improvement was observed for all three outcomes, while the intended behaviour outcome was no longer significant between t1 and t2 (Z = −0.70; p = 0.48). Females and who participated live at the seminar maintained a significant knowledge of mental illness and a better attitude toward community mental health care. The effects of the seminar focused on reducing stigma tended to diminish over time at one year follow-up, particular in relation to intended behaviour.

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 Evaluating a group-based Yoga of Stress Resilience programme: a pragmatic before–after interventional study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e035862
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Alvarez ◽  
Arielle Sutton ◽  
Bria Barton ◽  
Shailla Vaidya
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Readiness For Change ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Stress Resilience ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Techniques

IntroductionRates of mental health illnesses and burnout are increasing internationally. Therapeutic yoga is increasingly used to improve and maintain physical, mental and emotional well-being and general health. This protocol describes a study to evaluate the effectiveness of an existing primary care group-based therapeutic yoga programme, the Yoga of Stress Resilience programme, which combines yoga and psychotherapeutic techniques, in improving mental health and decreasing burnout. Implementation factors will also be evaluated for potential scale-up.Methods and analysisA pragmatic before–after interventional trial design will be used to study changes in occupational participation and mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, burnout, functional impairment, insomnia, perceived stress, loneliness, self-compassion and readiness for change in adults experiencing anxiety and burnout. Repeated measures analysis of variance will be used to determine changes in outcome measures over time. Regression and multivariate analyses will be conducted to examine relationships between participant characteristics and outcomes and among various outcomes. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework will be used to guide the analyses.Ethics and disseminationApproval from the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board has been waived: project number 7082 (full review waived). Informed consent will be obtained prior to enrolling any participant into the study. All data will be kept confidential. Peer-reviewed publications and presentations will target researchers and health professionals.Trial registration numberThe ClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT03973216).

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.

Reducing Levels of Perfectionism in Gifted and Talented Youth Through a Mindfulness Intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-330
Author(s):  
Sophia Olton-Weber ◽  
Robyn Hess ◽  
Jennifer A. Ritchotte
Keyword(s):  
Gifted And Talented ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Students ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Mindfulness Intervention ◽  
Socially Prescribed Perfectionism ◽  
Mindfulness Practices ◽  
Gifted Youth

Gifted youth frequently experience perfectionism, which for some can affect their emotional well-being. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 6-week mindfulness intervention for 42 middle school students who were identified as Gifted and Talented. Participants’ levels of self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism, as well as their use of mindfulness practices, were evaluated pre- and post- intervention, as well as at a 5-week follow-up to assess changes in perfectionism ratings and use of mindfulness. Three Bonferroni-adjusted, one-way, repeated measures analyses of variance were performed, and the results indicated a significant decrease in self-oriented perfectionism and an increase in mindfulness at both the end of the intervention and at follow-up. These findings support the use of mindfulness as an appropriate intervention to reduce self-imposed forms of perfectionism among gifted youth.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of the new short-term online emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection in a nonclinical sample

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia Halamová ◽  
Martin Kanovský ◽  
Karolína Varšová ◽  
Nuriye Kupeli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Protection

AbstractThe Emotion Focused Training for Self-Compassion and Self-Protection (EFT-SCP) is an intervention developed to increase skills of self-compassion and protective anger with the aim to decrease self-criticism. This novel intervention was developed on the basis of the latest findings on self-criticism from Emotion-focused therapy and previous programs cultivating compassion (namely Compassion Mind Training and Mindful Self-Compassion Program). According to existing research, simply cultivating self-compassion is not always sufficient in reducing self-criticism. Therefore, the EFT-SCP was designed to build self-compassion whilst developing protective anger to combat self-criticism. Our goal was to investigate the efficacy of this new, short-term, online EFT-SCP program in a non-clinical population. A randomized control trial was conducted with pre- and post-intervention measurements and two-month follow-up of self-compassion and self-criticism/reassurance. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants through a snowballing technique on social media. A total of 123 participants were randomly allocated to the EFT-SCP intervention or to a control condition. The intervention group were instructed through emails to complete an EFT-SCP task every day for 14 consecutive days. The control group did not complete any tasks. Out of 123 participants, 31 from intervention group and 20 from control group completed all measurements. There was a significant effect of the EFT-SCP on increasing self-compassion and self-reassurance scores as reported at two-month follow-up. The EFT-SCP was also effective at reducing self-uncompassionate responding and self-criticism (specifically Hated self) with changes evident at two months post-intervention. These findings are encouraging and suggest that interventions designed to enhance self-compassion and decrease self-criticism can be delivered to broader populations without the direct contact with mental health professionals.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a cooking skills programme in parents of young children – a longitudinal study

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1013-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada L Garcia ◽  
Elisa Vargas ◽  
Po S Lam ◽  
David B Shennan ◽  
Fiona Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Cooking Skills ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate longitudinally the effectiveness of a cooking programme on self-reported confidence about cooking skills and food consumption patterns in parents of young children.DesignAn evaluation of cooking programmes delivered by National Health Service (NHS) community food workers using a single group pre-test/post-test repeated measures design. A shortened version of a validated questionnaire at baseline, post intervention and 1-year follow-up determined confidence in cooking using basic ingredients, following a simple recipe, tasting new foods, preparing and cooking new foods on consumption of ready meals, vegetables and fruit.SettingDeprived communities in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland.SubjectsParents of nursery age children, 97 % were female and <45 years old.ResultsOne hundred and two participants had completed baseline and post-intervention questionnaires. Forty-four participants contacted by telephone completed a follow-up questionnaire. In participants who completed all questionnaires (n 44), median confidence in four aspects of cooking increased significantly from baseline to post intervention (P < 0·001) but was retained at 1-year follow-up only for following a simple recipe and preparing and cooking new foods. Improved food consumption patterns were reported from baseline to post intervention (ready-meal consumption reduced from 2-4 times/week to 1 time/week, P < 0·001; vegetable consumption increased from 5–6 times/week to 1 time/d, P < 0·001; fruit consumption increased from 5–6 times/week to 1 time/d, P < 0·001) and remained at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionsThe cooking programmes appeared to improve cooking confidence and food consumption patterns in the target group and some of these changes were retained after 1 year.

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