Effect of process recording and self-compassion on self-focus: A pre-post interventional pilot study

Research Problem/aim: This study examined whether process recording increases self-focus, and whether this effect is moderated by self-compassion. Methods: Participants included 31 undergraduates in Tokyo. A pre-post-test design was used. Participants completed measures including self-focus and self-compassion before and after process recording. Participants were divided into high and low self-compassion groups. Findings: Overall, the mean rumination and reflection scores were 42.0 and 37.9, respectively, at pre-intervention. The low self-compassion group (n = 14) showed no significant changes in either subscale. The high self-compassion group (n = 17) showed a significant reduction in rumination. Conclusions: Overall, process recording does not influence self-focus, but does reduce rumination in those with high self-compassion. Enhancing self-compassion is needed before using process recording to prevent excessive rumination.