Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, Research, and Intervention

Summary & key facts

This review defines self-compassion as being supportive toward yourself during suffering and presents a six-part model (more self-kindness and common humanity and mindfulness; less self-judgment, isolation, and overidentification). It summarizes a growing set of empirical studies that suggest self-compassion helps people handle distressing thoughts and emotions and is linked to better mental and physical well-being. The paper also describes tested interventions (for example, compassion-focused therapy and mindful self-compassion), challenges common myths about self-compassion, and highlights methodological limits and directions for future research.

Key facts:

• Self-compassion is defined as being supportive toward oneself when facing suffering or pain.
• The theoretical model in the review includes six elements: increased self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, and reduced self-judgment, isolation, and overidentification.
• The review summarizes an increasingly large number of empirical studies that indicate self-compassion is a productive way to approach distressing thoughts and emotions and is associated with mental and physical well-being.
• The review discusses interventions designed to increase self-compassion, including compassion-focused therapy and mindful self-compassion.
• The review reports research that challenges common myths that self-compassion is weak, selfish, self-indulgent, or undermines motivation.
• The review notes methodological problems and limitations in the field, including a concern called the "differential effects fallacy," and calls for further research.

Abstract

Self-compassion refers to being supportive toward oneself when experiencing suffering or pain-be it caused by personal mistakes and inadequacies or external life challenges. This review presents my theoretical model of self-compassion as comprised of six different elements: increased self-kindness, …

Topics

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes COVID-19 and Mental Health Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Compassion Empathy Epistemology Fallacy Humanity Intervention (counseling) Law Mindfulness Philosophy Political science Psychiatry Psychological intervention Psychology Psychotherapist Self-compassion Social psychology Theology