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Research on Self-compassion Kristin Neff, PhD University of Texas at Austin

Self compassion research

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Page 1: Self compassion research

Research on Self-compassion

Kristin Neff, PhD

University of Texas at Austin

Page 2: Self compassion research

The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)

• Tried to represent the main components of self-compassion in scale

Page 3: Self compassion research

Sample Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) ItemsSample Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) Items

Self-Kindness SubscaleSelf-Kindness Subscale: I try to be understanding and patient : I try to be understanding and patient towards those aspects of my personality I don't like.towards those aspects of my personality I don't like.

Self-Judgment SubscaleSelf-Judgment Subscale: I’m disapproving and judgmental about : I’m disapproving and judgmental about my own flaws and inadequacies.my own flaws and inadequacies.

Common Humanity SubscaleCommon Humanity Subscale: I try to see my failings as part of : I try to see my failings as part of the human condition.the human condition.

Isolation Subscale:Isolation Subscale: When I fail at something that's important to When I fail at something that's important to me, I tend to feel alone in my failure.me, I tend to feel alone in my failure.

Mindfulness Subscale:Mindfulness Subscale: When I'm feeling down I try to approach When I'm feeling down I try to approach my feelings with curiosity and openness.my feelings with curiosity and openness.

Over-identified Subscale:Over-identified Subscale: When something upsets me I get When something upsets me I get carried away with my feelings.carried away with my feelings.

Page 4: Self compassion research

Self-Compassion Linked to Well-beingSelf-Compassion Linked to Well-being

Greater:Greater: life satisfaction, social connectedness, autonomy, life satisfaction, social connectedness, autonomy, resilient coping, personal growth, reflective and affective resilient coping, personal growth, reflective and affective wisdom, curiosity and exploration, happiness, optimismwisdom, curiosity and exploration, happiness, optimism

Less:Less: anxiety, depression, self-criticism, neuroticism, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, neuroticism, rumination, thought suppression, and perfectionismrumination, thought suppression, and perfectionism

Populations studied: Ages 14 – 83

United States, Netherlands, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey

Page 5: Self compassion research

Self-compassion and anxiety

• Several studies show that self-compassion provides a very strong buffer again self-evaluative anxiety

• At its core anxiety stems from fear of being excluded from the social group

• Self-compassion provides feelings of safety, acceptance and interconnectedness

Page 6: Self compassion research

Self-compassion and body image

• Concerns with thinness often driven by the need for high self-esteem

• Cultural standards of thinness becoming more extreme for females

• Most females are unhappy with their body, want to be thinner, are currently on a diet

• Self-compassion can allow for acceptance of one’s own body, of personal imperfection

• Also provides motivation for change if diet and exercise are needed – health rather than self-worth

Page 7: Self compassion research

Research on self-compassion and body image

• Self-compassion is associated with health behaviors among womenLinked to intrinsic motivation to exercise, less focus

on ego-concernsGreater comfort with their bodies, less concerned

with social evaluation• Self-compassion reduces the urge to overeat among

those who have “blown” their diet

Page 8: Self compassion research

Group differences in self-compassion

• Women tend to have less self-compassion than menMainly because are more self-critical and tend to be

more negativeWomen tend to be kinder to others than to selfWomen are just as high in their feelings of common

humanity, a strength that can be built upon

Page 9: Self compassion research

Group differences in self-compassion

• Practicing Buddhists have higher levels of self-compassion than the general populationMeans that self-compassion is a skill that can be

practiced

Page 10: Self compassion research

Group differences in self-compassion

• In a cross-cultural study, Thais had highest levels of self-compassion, Taiwanese the lowest, Americans were in-between Means that Asians should not be stereotyped In all three cultures, self-compassion strongly linked

to psychological well-being

Page 11: Self compassion research

Self-compassion in relationships

• Research suggests that self-compassion can greatly enhance relationship interactions

• Examined how self-compassion levels related to reports by partners of relationship behaviorSelf-compassionate partners were described as more caring,

intimate, accepting, and autonomy grantingSelf-compassionate partners were described as being less

detached, controlling, hostile, and aggressive

• People with more self-compassion had better relationships

Page 12: Self compassion research

Importance of self-compassion for care-givers

• Research shows that self-compassion is associated with less burnout and compassion fatigue

• Self-compassion provides the emotional resources needed to nurture others

• By acknowledging how difficult care-giving can be, reduces anger and resentment

• By opening our hearts to human imperfection, can accept others as they are

Page 13: Self compassion research

Self-compassion in adolescence

• Main task of adolescence is identity formation• Highly concerned with evaluating self-worth (especially in

comparison with peers) • Self-compassionate teens have much lower levels of

depression and anxiety, greater connectedness• Self-compassion levels predicted by maternal criticism,

family conflict, attachment styleSelf-compassion may be thought of as an internalized

form of relating that is partly modeled from parents