University of Twente Student Theses
Fostering Compassion and Mindfulness : Exploring Narratives of Depressed Individuals Undergoing Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living Treatment
Apprich, N.F.A. (2024) Fostering Compassion and Mindfulness : Exploring Narratives of Depressed Individuals Undergoing Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living Treatment.
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| Abstract: | Background: Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) is a promising follow-up to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for treating depression. While its effectiveness is established, there is a lack of research on changes in participants’ narratives post-treatment. Studying narratives can close the gap between theory and practice. This study examines changes in experience domains and agency levels in participants’ narratives undergoing MBCL, and explores the relationship between these changes and depression levels to gain a deeper understanding of depression beyond clinical measures. Methods: The study employs an exploratory two-step research design. The pre- and post- interviews of 24 participants were analysed using Digital Story Grammar (DSG) to extract narrative aspects of the text. The data was integrated with statistical analysis to examine changes and their relationship to Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores. Furthermore, a selection of interviews was reviewed for a comparative analysis with the statistical results. Results: Participants’ post-interview narratives focused less on the mental subdomain, with more emphasis on actions related to the main character or object, and showed a reduction in agency. Despite these changes, no relationship was found between subdomains of experience and depression levels or agency levels and depression levels, likely due to the small sample size. A review of selected interviews suggests that narratives focusing on thinking and feeling reflect participants’ therapeutic process, while others describe their lives in the context of therapy. Conclusion: The transition from reflexive thought to the present moment observed in participants may be indicative of mindfulness. It would be beneficial for professionals to consider this when tailoring treatment and explaining patient experiences. Further research with a larger sample size is required in order to explore the relationship between depression levels, experience domains, and agency levels. Furthermore, this research indicates the potential value of utilising Digital Story Grammar (DSG) in psychological research. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100546 |
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