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08-03-2023 | ORIGINAL PAPER

A Brief Self-Compassionate Letter-Writing Intervention for Individuals with High Shame

Auteurs: Michaela B. Swee, Keith Klein, Susan Murray, Richard G. Heimberg

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 4/2023

Abstract

Objectives

Over the last decade, the mental health of undergraduate students has been of increasing concern and the prevalence of psychological disorders among this population has reached an unprecedented high. Compassion-based interventions have been used to treat shame and self-criticism, both of which are common experiences among undergraduate students and transdiagnostic vulnerability factors for an array of psychological disorders. This randomized controlled study examined the utility of a brief online self-compassionate letter-writing intervention for undergraduate students with high shame.

Method

Participants were 68 undergraduates who scored in the upper quartile on shame. Individuals were randomly assigned to a 16-day self-compassionate letter-writing intervention (n = 29) or a waitlist control group (n = 39). Participants completed baseline, post-assessment, and one-month follow-up measures.

Results

Participants who practiced self-compassionate letter writing evidenced medium-to-large reductions in global shame, external shame, self-criticism, and general anxiety at post-assessment, and gains were sustained at follow-up. Additionally, there were trend-level effects for increases in self-compassion and decreases in depression for those who participated in the intervention.

Conclusions

This study examined the efficacy of self-compassionate letter-writing as a stand-alone intervention for undergraduate students with high shame. This brief, easily accessible, and self-administered practice may be beneficial for a host of internalizing symptoms in this population and may support university counseling centers as they navigate high demand for mental health services.

vorige artikel Feasibility of a Loving Kindness Intervention for Mitigating Weight Stigma in Nursing Students: A Focus on Self-Compassion

volgende artikel The Differential Role of Growth Mindset and Trait Mindfulness in the Motivation of Learning from Criticism

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Titel: A Brief Self-Compassionate Letter-Writing Intervention for Individuals with High Shame
Auteurs: Michaela B. Swee
Keith Klein
Susan Murray
Richard G. Heimberg
Publicatiedatum: 08-03-2023
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 4/2023
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02097-5

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Abstract

Objectives

Method

Results

Conclusions

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