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Mindfulness

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28-06-2021 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Self-compassion and the Mitigation of Negative Affect in the Era of Social Distancing

Auteurs: Fang Guan, Yun Wu, Wei Ren, Pei Zhang, Bo Jing, Zhuo Xu, Sheng-tao Wu, Kai-ping Peng, Ji-bo He

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 9/2021

Abstract

Objectives

The outbreak of contagious diseases and their associated non-pharmaceutical interventions can lead to negative mental health consequences. This study aimed to investigate online self-compassion exercises’ effectiveness in alleviating people’s negative affect (anxiety and negative emotions) during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Methods

Study 1 examined the associations between self-compassion and negative affect using an anonymous online survey. In study 2, two pilot experiments were conducted to examine online self-compassion exercises’ (i.e., instructor-guided meditation and self-guided writing) effectiveness to mitigate individuals’ negative affect. In study 3, a randomized controlled study was conducted to further examine online self-compassion writing’s effectiveness in reducing people’s negative affect.

Results

The results of study 1 indicated a significant negative association between self-compassion and participants’ negative affect. Participants in study 2a reported significant decreases in negative affect after completing the self-compassion meditation. Study 2b showed that participants who completed the self-compassion writing reported significantly more self-compassion and less anxiety when compared to participants who did not. Study 3 showed substantial pre/post-test changes in participants who completed self-compassion writing. Importantly, there were significant increases in participants’ self-compassion and decreases in negative affect when compared to participants in the control condition.

Conclusions

Self-compassion exercises were effective to alleviate individuals’ anxiety and reduce negative emotions (even within a brief session) during the pandemic lockdown.

vorige artikel Gender Differences in the Associations Between Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Perceived Stress Reactivity

volgende artikel Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL): a Qualitative Study into the Added Value of Compassion in Recurrent Depression

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Titel: Self-compassion and the Mitigation of Negative Affect in the Era of Social Distancing
Auteurs: Fang Guan
Yun Wu
Wei Ren
Pei Zhang
Bo Jing
Zhuo Xu
Sheng-tao Wu
Kai-ping Peng
Ji-bo He
Publicatiedatum: 28-06-2021
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 9/2021
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01674-w

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