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Self‐compassion for youth in small city centres: A school‐based pilot project
Author(s) -
Henson Alisha,
Ruglis Jessica,
Sinacore Ada,
Fitzpatrick Marilyn,
Lanteigne Dianna
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1002/capr.12374
Subject(s) - mental health , self compassion , psychological intervention , psychology , mindfulness , population , intervention (counseling) , community based participatory research , anxiety , participatory action research , clinical psychology , medicine , psychiatry , sociology , environmental health , anthropology
The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the benefits of a self‐compassion intervention that was delivered in school to grade nine youth during their transition to high school in a small city centre in Ontario, Canada. All participants were assigned female at birth. Self‐compassion (SC) was identified as an important intervention for this population based on a community‐based participatory research (CBPR) process that included youth living with mental health challenges, mental health practitioners, gatekeepers and academics. The CBPR process helped with problem identification and the modification of a self‐compassion intervention for use in school for youth. The modified SC programme was delivered in two physical education classes, using a 2 × 2 crossover design (i.e. intervention or school as usual). Self‐report measures focused on increasing mental health (e.g. well‐being, values, self‐compassion) and decreasing mental illness (e.g. depression, anxiety) were collected at baseline and pre–post intervention. Data analysed via ANCOVAs and non‐parametric tests indicate no statistically significant results. At baseline, most students had relatively average scores for mental health and mental illness; therefore, floor and ceiling effects may have impacted measurable change. In this relatively healthy group, the benefits of the SC programme may be the capacity to continue to accept and support oneself in facing challenges, as is the overall goal of self‐compassion. Future research may focus on using self‐compassion interventions with youth in clinical settings or a longitudinal analysis with a comparison group.