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A Pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindful Self‐Compassion Program
Author(s) -
Neff Kristin D.,
Germer Christopher K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.21923
Subject(s) - mindfulness , self compassion , psychology , randomized controlled trial , clinical psychology , intervention (counseling) , compassion , psychotherapist , medicine , psychiatry , surgery , political science , law
Objectives The aim of these two studies was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mindful Self‐Compassion (MSC) program, an 8‐week workshop designed to train people to be more self‐compassionate. Methods Study 1 was a pilot study that examined change scores in self‐compassion, mindfulness, and various wellbeing outcomes among community adults ( N = 21; mean [ M] age = 51.26 , 95% female). Study 2 was a randomized controlled trial that compared a treatment group (N = 25; M age = 51.21; 78% female) with a waitlist control group (N = 27; M age = 49.11; 82% female). Results Study 1 found significant pre/post gains in self‐compassion, mindfulness, and various wellbeing outcomes. Study 2 found that compared with the control group, intervention participants reported significantly larger increases in self‐compassion, mindfulness, and wellbeing. Gains were maintained at 6‐month and 1‐year follow‐ups. Conclusions The MSC program appears to be effective at enhancing self‐compassion, mindfulness, and wellbeing.