Self-compassion in mindfulness-based stress reduction: An examination of prediction and mediation of intervention effects.
Landrew S Sevel, Micheal T M Finn, Rachel M Smith, Anna M Ryden, Lindsey C McKernan
Stress and Health December 24, 2019 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2917 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 130 |
| Population | Adults participating in an 8-week MBSR intervention (73.08% female, mean age 46.97, SD 14.07) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week MBSR intervention; measures at preintervention and postintervention |
| Measures | Brief Stress Inventory (BSI), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS), Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale (MAAS), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Regression analysis Stress, psychological Empathy Quality of life Adult Middle aged Female |
| Key findings | Higher baseline self-compassion predicted greater reductions in Perceived Stress Scale scores (β = 0.16). Reductions in Brief Stress Inventory scores were serially mediated by change in self-compassion, both directly (β = 0.06) and indirectly through change in mindful awareness (β = 0.09). The authors argue self-compassion serves as both a predictor of treatment effect and a process through which MBSR operates. |
Abstract
The current investigation sought to clarify mechanisms of treatment effects in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). Self-compassion and mindful awareness were assessed first as dispositional influences and then as mediators of outcome in unique models. One hundred thirty individuals participating in the 8-week MBSR intervention were recruited (73.08% female, mean age = 46.97, SD = 14.07). Measures of psychosocial well-being (Brief Stress Inventory [BSI], Perceived Stress Scale-10 [PSS]), mindful awareness (Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale [MAAS]), and self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale [SCS]) were collected at preintervention and postintervention. Regression was conducted to examine the influence of baseline MAAS and SCS on change in PSS and BSI scores. Serial multiple mediator models were conducted separately with pre/postintervention BSI and PSS values as criterion, and preintervention/postintervention MAAS and SCS values as mediators. Higher levels of baseline self-compassion were predictive of greater reductions in PSS scores (β = 0.16). Reductions in BSI scores were serially mediated by change in self-compassion both directly (MBSR → ΔSCS → ΔBSI β = 0.06) and indirectly through mindful awareness (MBSR → ΔMAAS → ΔSCS → ΔBSI β = 0.09). Results provide support for the role of self-compassion as both a predictor of treatment effect and a process through which MBSR operates. Mechanisms underlying MBSR effects appear to be unique to the outcome of interest.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Application of Mindfulness Practices in Work on Stress Reduction during the War Revista de Cercetare si Interventie Sociala June 30, 2023
- Mediators of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Younger Breast Cancer Survivors: Effects on Depressive Symptoms. Psychosomatic Medicine October 1, 2024
- Reducing stress among nurses: The impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction programs. Geriatric Nursing November 22, 2025
- The Need for Mindfulness in the Arab-Bedouin Community in Israel: Recommendations for Cultural and Context-Informed Adaptations Mindfulness October 17, 2025
- What Makes Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programs Effective Among Dutch Elementary School Teachers? The Mediating Role of Mindfulness Skills, Self-Compassion, Emotion Regulation, and Teacher Self-Efficacy Mindfulness September 1, 2025
and 4 more in the library
Cites 20
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial. International Journal of Stress Management May 1, 2005
- Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Stress and Health March 15, 2010
- An empirical study of the mechanisms of mindfulness in a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program Journal of Clinical Psychology March 6, 2009
and 15 more in the library