Effect of Mindfulness on Empathy and Self-Compassion: An Adapted MBCT Program on Filipino College Students
Behavioral Sciences February 27, 2020 Reginald Paul R. Centeno, Karina Therese G. Fernandez
A classroom-based mindfulness program adapted from mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) improved mindfulness, empathy, and self-compassion in Filipino college students aged 19–22. One class received the adapted MBCT program; a comparison class attended the same course without mindfulness. Self-report questionnaires administered before and after the program showed significant increases in mindfulness, perspective-taking, empathic concern, and self-compassion among those who underwent MBCT. The findings align with prior research on mindfulness in adolescents and suggest that mindfulness practice can enhance empathy and self-compassion in this population, supporting further investigation into mindfulness-based mental health interventions for college students in Asia.