Background
Research suggests that self‐compassion may improve mental health by promoting emotion regulation (Berking & Whitley, ). This review aimed to identify studies which investigated the ...relationship between self‐compassion, emotion regulation, and mental health in order to examine the role of emotional regulation as a mechanism of change.
Methods
Searches were conducted in PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline complete, Web of Science and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria required publications to be: peer reviewed, published in English, contain validated measures of self‐compassion and emotion regulation, and report a direct analysis on the relationship between these constructs.
Results
The search yielded five studies which met inclusion criteria. Emotion regulation significantly mediated the relationship between self‐compassion and mental health. This pattern was consistent across community and clinical samples, for a range of mental health symptoms including stress, depression, and post‐traumatic stress disorder. A critical limitation of the review was that all included studies used cross‐sectional data, limiting interpretations regarding causation.
Conclusions
Results provide preliminary evidence that emotion regulation may be a mechanism of change in the relationship between self‐compassion and mental health. Self‐compassion may be a pertinent preliminary treatment target for individuals who avoid experiences of emotions.
Objectives
Self-compassion is a healthy way of relating to one’s self motivated by a desire to help rather than harm. Novel self-compassion-based interventions have targeted diverse populations and ...outcomes. This meta-analysis identified randomized controlled trials of self-compassion interventions and measured their effects on psychosocial outcomes.
Methods
This meta-analysis included a systematic search of six databases and hand-searches of the included study’s reference lists. Twenty-seven randomized controlled trials that examined validated psychosocial measures for self-compassion-based interventions met inclusion criteria. Baseline, post and follow-up data was extracted for the intervention and control groups, and study quality was assessed using the PRISMA checklist.
Results
Self-compassion interventions led to a significant improvement across 11 diverse psychosocial outcomes compared with controls. Notably, the aggregate effect size Hedge’s
g
was large for measures of eating behavior (
g
= 1.76) and rumination (
g
= 1.37). Effects were moderate for self-compassion (
g
= 0.75), stress (
g
= 0.67), depression (
g
= 0.66), mindfulness (
g
= 0.62), self-criticism (
g
= 0.56), and anxiety (
g
= 0.57) outcomes. Further moderation analyses found that the improvements in depression symptoms continued to increase at follow-up, and self-compassion gains were maintained. Results differed across population type and were stronger for the group over individual delivery methods. Intervention type was too diverse to analyze specific categories, and publication bias may be present.
Conclusions
This review supports the efficacy of self-compassion-based interventions across a range of outcomes and diverse populations. Future research should consider the mechanisms of change.
Psychological practitioners often seek to directly change the form or frequency of clients' maladaptive perfectionist thoughts, because such thoughts predict future depression. Indirect strategies, ...such as self-compassion interventions, that seek to change clients' relationships to difficult thoughts, rather than trying to change the thoughts directly could be just as effective. This study aimed to investigate whether self-compassion moderated, or weakened, the relationship between high perfectionism and high depression symptoms in both adolescence and adulthood.
The present study utilised anonymous self-report questionnaires to assess maladaptive perfectionism, depression, and self-compassion across two samples covering much of the lifespan. Questionnaires were administered in a high school setting for the adolescent sample (Study 1, Mage = 14.1 years, n = 541), and advertised through university and widely online to attract a convenience sample of adults (Study 2, Mage = 25.22 years, n = 515).
Moderation analyses revealed that self-compassion reduced the strength of relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression in our adolescent Study 1 (β = -.15, p < .001, R2 = .021.) and our adult study 2 (β = -.14, p < .001, R2 = .020).
Cross-sectional self-reported data restricts the application of causal conclusions and also relies on accurate self-awareness and willingness to respond to questionnaire openly.
The replication of this finding in two samples and across different age-appropriate measures suggests that self-compassion does moderate the link between perfectionism and depression. Self-compassion interventions may be a useful way to undermine the effects of maladaptive perfectionism, but future experimental or intervention research is needed to fully assess this important possibility.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of mindfulness‐based interventions on psychological and physical health outcomes in adults who are overweight or obese.
Methods
We ...searched 14 electronic databases for randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies that met eligibility criteria. Comprehensive Meta‐analysis software was used to compute the effect size estimate Hedge's g.
Results
Fifteen studies measuring post‐treatment outcomes of mindfulness‐based interventions in 560 individuals were identified. The average weight loss was 4.2 kg. Overall effects were large for improving eating behaviours (g = 1.08), medium for depression (g = 0.64), anxiety (g = 0.62) and eating attitudes (g = 0.57) and small for body mass index (BMI; g = 0.47) and metacognition (g = 0.38) outcomes. Therapeutic effects for BMI (g = 0.43), anxiety (g = 0.53), eating attitudes (g = 0.48) and eating behaviours (g = 0.53) remained significant when examining results from higher quality randomized control trials alone. There was no efficacy advantage for studies exceeding the median dose of 12 h of face‐to‐face intervention. Studies utilizing an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach provided the only significant effect for improving BMI (g = 0.66), while mindfulness approaches produced great variation from small to large (g = 0.30–1.68) effects across a range of psychological health and eating‐related constructs. Finally, the limited longitudinal data suggested maintenance of BMI (g = 0.85) and eating attitudes (g = 0.75) gains at follow‐up were only detectable in lower quality prospective cohort studies.
Conclusions
Mindfulness‐based interventions may be both physically and psychologically beneficial for adults who are overweight or obese, but further high‐quality research examining the mechanisms of action are encouraged.
Objectives
Although research in self-compassion has been rapidly growing, there is still substantial controversy about its meaning and measurement. The controversy centers on Neff’s popular Self- ...Compassion Scale (SCS) and the argument that compassionate self-responding (CSR) and uncompassionate self-responding (UCS) are a single dimension versus the argument that they are two semi-independent, unipolar dimensions, with UCS not reflective of “true” self-compassion.
Methods
We review the evidence for both positions and conclude that the data cannot yet resolve the debate.
Results
Neither position is proven to be right or wrong. We recommend the way forward is to let go of traditional factor analytic approaches and examine self-compassionate behavior as a dynamic network of interacting processes that are influenced by context. This leads us to three classes of testable hypotheses. The link between CS and UCS will depend on the timeframe of measurement, current circumstances, and individual differences.
Conclusions
We propose a middle ground to the SCS debate; rather than supporting the single total score, 2-factor score (CSR and UCS) or the 6-factor score (the six subscales of the SCS), we argue these constructs interact dynamically, and the decision of which scoring method to use should depend on the three testable contextual hypotheses.
Life at university provides important opportunities for personal growth; however, this developmental phase also coincides with the peak period of risk for the onset of mental health disorders. In ...addition, specific university lifestyle factors, including impaired sleep and academic and financial stress, are known to exacerbate psychological distress in students. As a result, university students have been identified as a vulnerable population who often experience significant barriers to accessing psychological treatment. Digital psychological interventions are emerging as a promising solution for this population, but their effectiveness remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess digital interventions targeting psychological well-being among university students. Database searches were conducted on December 2, 2021, via Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. A total of 13 eligible studies were identified, 10 (77%) of which were included in the meta-analysis. Mean pre-post effect sizes indicated that such interventions led to small and significant improvement in psychological well-being (Hedges g=0.32, 95% CI 0.23-0.4; P<.001). These effects remained, albeit smaller, when studies that included a wait-list control group were excluded (Hedges g=0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.35; P=.002). An analysis of acceptance and commitment therapy approaches revealed small and significant effects (k=6; Hedges g=0.35, 95% CI 0.25-0.45; P<.001). Digital psychological interventions hold considerable promise for university students, although features that optimize service delivery and outcomes require further assessment.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
Due to rumination and self‐criticism over unwanted obsessions and repetitive rituals, shame is a common emotion experienced by individuals with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Shame ...is also theorized to have relevance to unacceptable thoughts in OCD. However, empirical research looking at the relationship between OCD and shame is still emerging and findings have been mixed.
Objectives
Our review systematically examines the association of shame with OCD and unacceptable thoughts.
Methods
The last updated search was conducted across five databases between 27 and 29 February 2022. The final selection included 20 papers, 18 of which were used in the primary meta‐analysis to calculate pooled effect sizes between OCD and shame measures using a random effects model. In a separate analysis, three papers were used to calculate pooled effect sizes between shame and OCD symptom dimensions also using a random effects model.
Results
The meta‐analyses identified a significant, moderate and positive correlation between total OCD and shame scores r = .352, 95% CI 0.260, 0.438. In addition, significant, weak and positive relationships were found between shame and three OCD symptom dimensions: unacceptable thoughts r = .252, 95% CI −0.467, 0.9708, harm obsessions r = .224, CI −0.190, 0.638 and symmetry concerns r = .200, CI −0.108, 0.509.
Limitations
Shame measures in the reviewed studies were not specific to OCD, and between‐study variance in the analyses examining unacceptable thoughts was significant.
Conclusions
Our findings support a medium positive relationship between shame and OCD. As shame in OCD can be a barrier to seeking treatment and impair quality of life, it is imperative to address this emotion through psychoeducation, assessment and treatment.
Self-compassion, a healthy way of relating to oneself, may promote psychological resilience during adolescence. How adolescents engage with self-compassion, and whether they have distinct ...self-compassionate or uncompassionate psychological profiles, is unclear. This study investigated potential self-compassion profiles based on responses to the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form (SCS-SF) and examined their relationship with a range of mental health symptoms and cognitive and emotional tendencies. A large cross-sectional sample of high school students (
N
= 950;
M
age
= 13.70 years,
SD
age
= 0.72,
range =
12 to 16 years; 434 female and 495 male) completed several online self-report measures including the SCS-SF. Latent profile analysis identified parsimonious self-compassion profiles by gender using the six SCS-SF subscales. Five female profiles included ‘Low Self-Relating’, ‘Uncompassionate’, ‘High Self-Relating’, ‘Moderately Compassionate’ and ‘Highly Compassionate’. Comparatively, two male profiles included ‘Low Self-Relating’ and ‘Moderately Self-Relating’. Low Self-Relating involved low levels of both compassionate and uncompassionate responding, and Moderately Self-Relating involved higher levels of both. Low Self-Relating and Highly Compassionate profiles for females consistently reported lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, maladaptive perfectionism, intolerance of uncertainty, repetitive thinking and avoidance-fusion thinking patterns compared to the other female profiles. Low Self-Relating males reported more adaptive outcomes compared to Moderate Self-Relating males. These findings illustrate important adolescent gender differences in compassionate and uncompassionate self-response profiles. Results suggest self-compassion is an important psychological construct with diverse mental health benefits for females, whereas for males a lack of attachment to either response styles are linked with better psychological outcomes.
Physical activity is an evidence-based, effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), yet insufficient numbers of adults achieve recommended daily levels, particularly amongst higher weight ...classes. This cross-sectional study assessed whether the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) Model explained physical activity levels in adults with T2D across different body mass index (BMI) levels (N = 381). Measures included the American Adults Knowledge of Exercise Recommendations (AAKER), Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2), Barriers Specific Self-Efficacy Scale (BARSE) and the outcome measure, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short form). Analyses included structural equation modelling (SEM) and ordinal logistic regression models. SEM demonstrated a good fit of the IMB Model to the data, accounting for 44% of variance in physical activity levels. Both motivation and self-efficacy had a direct effect, and motivation indirectly predicted physical activity through self-efficacy. Further analyses found the effect of the IMB predictors did not vary according to BMI status. This study supports the application of the IMB Model in explaining physical activity behavior in adults with T2D. In particular, the contribution of motivation and self-efficacy as substantive and modifiable predictors of physical activity will facilitate the development of targeted and evidence-based interventions for individuals of all BMI classes.
Purpose
Given rising incidence rates of mental health concerns in the general population it is important for all primary health care practitioners, including chiropractors, to have knowledge of such ...presentations. Practitioners frequently need to refer clients to appropriate mental health services, manage the biopsychosocial aspects of all conditions they treat, and work in interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes. The mental health literacy (MHL) of these practitioners may, however, be influenced by both learnt knowledge and common misconceptions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the MHL of a final year Master of Chiropractic student cohort.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 89 students completed an online questionnaire assessing mental health knowledge, misconceptions, perceived value of such knowledge for practicing chiropractors and demographic information.
Findings
Student knowledge of the primary symptoms for depression and schizophrenia was competent, similar to community samples. However a high false positive response suggested students were poor at mental health differential diagnosis. A high number of common misconceptions about mental health were also endorsed, particularly in relation to depression, anxiety and suicide. Age and value of such knowledge seemed to predict greater MHL.
Research limitations/implications
The present study offers direction for chiropractic education. In addition to content-based education, MHL may improve through targeting the students’ perceived value of the information for chiropractors and combating common misconceptions. Future research could evaluate the incremental value of these approaches, and assess subsequent behavioural responses such as the students’ confidence in managing patients with mental health concerns, and knowing when to refer on.
Originality/value
Taken together, the current results suggest chiropractic students are able to identify symptoms causing distress; however tend to over-pathologise and endorse false symptoms as indicative of specific mental illnesses. In other words, students are poor at mental health differential diagnosis. Students also seemed to simultaneously hold a large number of misconceptions about mental health in general. It is of great importance to better understand gaps in student knowledge about mental health to prepare them for working with patients in a health setting.
PDF
