University of Twente Student Theses
Promoting Self-Compassion: A Self-Help Compassion Training and its Effect on Stress - A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of a Compassion Based Intervention and a Mediation Analysis of Self-Compassion
Gerke, Y. K. (2016) Promoting Self-Compassion: A Self-Help Compassion Training and its Effect on Stress - A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of a Compassion Based Intervention and a Mediation Analysis of Self-Compassion.
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| Abstract: | This study explores the effect of the self-help compassion training Compassie als sleutel tot geluk on perceived stress and self-compassion and analyses whether self-compassion is a mechanism of change that causes the effect that the intervention has on perceived stress. The hypotheses are (1) that the self-help compassion training is effective in lowering perceived stress and (2) that it is also effective in increasing self-compassion. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that (3) self-compassion mediates the relationship between the training and perceived stress. The numerous advantages of higher self-compassion on mental health have been studied in the last two decades. However, there are few studies that analyze the effectiveness of compassion-based interventions on perceived stress and self-compassion and whether self-compassion is a mechanism of change in those interventions. The present study is the first study that analyses these questions in a self-help compassion training. The data of an RCT of 212 participants in the experimental group (self-help compassion training) or control group (wait-list) conducted by the University of Twente were analyzed. Relevant diagnostic instruments are the Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form (SCS-SF), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The results support all three hypotheses. It was found that the training significantly increased self-compassion and decreased stress compared to the control group, with self-compassion partially mediating the effect the intervention has on stress. The findings indicate the possible benefits of self-compassion and the self-help compassion training for the treatment of stress in the clinical practice in treating patients with high perceived stress. On top of that, the findings are encouraging future research on the effectiveness of self-help compassion trainings in the long-term as well as future research on how self-compassion can be increased the most. |
| 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/69855 |
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