Effects of a Virtual Mindful Self-Compassion Training on Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, Empathy, Well-being and Stress in Uruguayan Primary School Teachers During Covid-19 Times.
Martín Bidegain, Andrea Berriel, Francisco López, Alexander Ibarra, Mikaela Pisani, Sol Polero, Gonzalo Brito, Ana Carolina Pereira, Silvana López, María Castelló
Research Square May 12, 2023 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2909265/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental longitudinal study with active control |
|---|---|
| Population | Uruguayan volunteer female primary school teachers |
| Interventions | Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Kundalini Yoga |
| Duration | 9-week training; follow-up at 3 months |
| Measures | self-reports, empathy for pain task (EPT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Virtual Mindful Self-Compassion training was associated with increased mindfulness, self-compassion, well-being, and empathy, and reduced stress and personal distress in Uruguayan primary school teachers, with some gains maintained at 3-month follow-up. The authors conclude that virtual MSC cultivated mindfulness and self-compassion linked to these improvements. |
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of a virtual Mindful Self-compassion (MSC) intervention on mindfulness, self-compassion, empathy, stress, and well-being in Uruguayan primary school teachers.
Methods: A quasi-experimental, longitudinal study was conducted with an active control intervention (Kundalini Yoga, KY). Uruguayan volunteer female teachers were randomly assigned to MSC or KY 9-weeks virtual training and completed self-reports and an empathy for pain task (EPT) at pre-, post-training, and follow-up (3 months).
Results: After MSC training, mindfulness (ES: observing= -0.836; non-reactivity= -0.476; total mindfulness= -0.655), self-compassion (ES: self-kindness= 0.745; common humanity= -0.588; mindfulness= -0.487) and self-judgment (ES= -0.463) significantly (p<0.05) increased. Furthermore, perspective-taking increased (ES= -0.505) and personal distress decreased (ES= -0.587), while stress decreased (ES= -0.450) and well-being increased (ES= -0.612) after this training. At follow-up, observing (ES= -0.675) and total mindfulness (ES= -0.757) remained elevated and non-judging increased (ES= -0.667); self-compassion remained elevated (ES= -0.778) and personal distress remained decreased ( ES= -0.857). After MSC training, EPT intentionality comprehension accuracy significantly increased (SE= -0.588). After training, personal distress was higher in KY than MSC (ES= -0.344), while at follow-up observing (ES= -0.454) and total mindfulness (ES =-0.415) were higher in MSC. No differences between groups were found for the EPT.
Conclusions: Virtual MSC training cultivated mindfulness and self-compassion associated with an increase in well-being and empathy, and a reduction of stress in Uruguayan primary school teachers.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cites 14
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial. International Journal of Stress Management May 1, 2005
- Conceptual and methodological issues in research on mindfulness and meditation. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Contemplative interventions and employee distress: A meta-analysis. Stress and Health March 15, 2019
and 9 more in the library