A Randomised Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of Self-Compassion Meditations on Women's Body Image.
Amy J De Wet, Ben R Lane, Kate E Mulgrew
Body image December 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.07.009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 70 |
| Population | Young adult women aged 17-35 |
| Interventions | Self-compassion meditations Nature-focused guided imagery meditations |
| Duration | 1-week intervention, pre- and post-test measures |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Appearance-contingent self-worth Body appreciation Body shame Self-compassion |
| Key findings | Both self-compassion and nature-focused guided imagery meditations significantly improved self-compassion and body appreciation and reduced body shame, with no difference between groups. |
Abstract
Although research has suggested that body image improves following self-compassion meditation training, studies have been limited due to the use of a wait-list control group. This study therefore compared the effects of self-compassion meditations to an active control group. Seventy young adult women (17-35 years) were randomly assigned to receive either self-compassion or nature-focused guided imagery meditations. Over one week, participants engaged in two meditations and completed pre- and post-test measures of trait self-compassion, body appreciation, body shame, and appearance-contingent self-worth. A mixed design analysis of variance revealed a main effect of time; women in both meditation groups demonstrated significant increases in self-compassion and body appreciation, and significant reductions in body shame. No effect was found for appearance-contingent self-worth. There were no interactions or main effects for group. Self-compassion may improve body image in women, although there was no evidence for an advantage of self-compassion over guided imagery meditations. Common elements between self-compassion and guided imagery may be a mechanism for improving body image. However, further research is warranted to isolate the effects of these meditations from other specific and non-specific treatment effects. (This study was pre-registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12618001814268).
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- The Effect of Mindfulness‐Based Sexual Counseling on Sexual Distress, Attitude Toward Sexuality, and Body Image Concerns in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health June 9, 2023
- How mindfulness and nature are conceptualised and integrated: A systematic review of nature-based mindfulness interventions Journal of Environmental Psychology September 30, 2026
- Body image phenomenology in reports of psychedelic and meditative experiences: main themes and associations with body attitudes. Neuroscience of Consciousness 2026
- The effects of short video app-guided loving-kindness meditation on college students' mindfulness, self-compassion, positive psychological capital, and suicide ideation. Psicologia, reflexao e critica : revista semestral do Departamento de Psicologia da UFRGS October 30, 2023
- Meditation practices and their relationship with eating behavior, weight changes, and mental health in adults from different regions of Brazil: A cross-sectional study. Nutrition 2023
and 1 more in the library