Mindfulness and Self-compassion Decrease Emotional Symptoms, Self-criticism, Rumination and Worry in College Students: A Preliminary Study of the Effects of Group Self-compassion-based Interventions
Escuela de Posgrados Facultad de Psicóloga Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz Bogotá Cra. 9 Bis #No. 62 - 43 Colombia., Jorge Enrique Torres Lancheros, Juan Camilo Vargas-Nieto, Stephanie Arcila Ibarra
Journal of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies September 1, 2023 DOI: 10.24193/jebp.2023.2.8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial with wait-list control group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 35 |
| Population | University students |
| Intervention | Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program |
| Duration | 4 sessions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key findings | A brief four-session online Mindful Self-Compassion program increased self-compassion, self-efficacy, and mindfulness and reduced depression, stress, rumination, and worry among university students, with large effect sizes reported for several outcomes. The authors suggest brief self-compassion-based interventions may be an effective strategy for addressing emotional issues in college students. |
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a brief protocol that consisted in 4 sessions based on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program administered as a group intervention in an online format, on indicators of self-compassion, self-efficacy, self-criticism, depression, anxiety, stress, mindfulness, rumination and worry. A pretest-posttest experimental design was used with a wait-list control group with random assignment. The sample consisted of university students (N= 35) who received the modified MSC program. Results suggest that the program increased indicators of self-compassion (d= 1.603), self-efficacy (d= 0.655) and mindfulness (rB = 0.954), and reduced levels of depression (rB= 0.980), stress (d= 1.050), rumination (d = 0.626) and worry (d= 1.077). The implications of brief self-compassion-based interventions as an effective strategy for addressing emotional issues in college students are discussed.
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 |