Effects of a Mindful Self-Compassion Intervention on Emotion Regulation in Psychiatric Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Andrea Andorfer, Michaela Hiebler, Hugo Senra, Johannes Peter, Sabina Kraler, Paul Kaufmann, Ewald Pollheimer, Christoph Spah, Adelheid Kresse, Hans-Peter Kapfhammer, Human-Friedrich Unterrainer
Neuropsychobiology October 20, 2025 DOI: 10.1159/000548902 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 168 |
| Population | Psychiatric inpatients in a 6-week rehabilitation program |
| Intervention | Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) |
| Duration | 6-week program, with assessments at baseline and post-treatment |
| Measures | Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Reappraisal Inventiveness Test (RIT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Treatment outcome Empathy Self concept Mental disorders Adult Middle aged Female Psychiatric rehabilitation Emotional regulation Randomized controlled trial Emotion regulation Mindful self-compassion |
| Key findings | Both Mindful Self-Compassion and Progressive Muscle Relaxation were associated with significant increases in self-compassion, positive affect, and self-reported cognitive reappraisal. No significant changes occurred in expressive suppression, and no between-group difference was found in reappraisal inventiveness on the Reappraisal Inventiveness Test. The authors suggest both interventions may foster adaptive emotion regulation in psychiatric rehabilitation. |
Abstract
Introduction: Emotion regulation (ER) is essential for psychological functioning and daily life. Deficits in ER are associated with various psychiatric disorders and are important targets for therapeutic interventions. Self-compassion, the practice of responding to one's own suffering with kindness, has been proposed to support adaptive ER. This study examined changes during a 6-week psychiatric inpatient rehabilitation program to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness- and self-compassion-based intervention on ER.
Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 168 psychiatric inpatients were allocated to either a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) intervention group (n = 95) or an active control group receiving Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR; n = 73). Participants completed assessments at baseline and post-treatment, including the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). At post-treatment, the Reappraisal Inventiveness Test (RIT) was additionally administered. Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVAs and independent t tests.
Results: Both MSC and PMR groups showed significant increases in self-compassion, positive affect, and self-reported cognitive reappraisal. No significant changes were observed in expressive suppression, and no between-group differences were found for reappraisal inventiveness as measured by the RIT.
Conclusions: Participation in either intervention was associated with enhanced use of cognitive reappraisal, suggesting that both MSC and PMR may foster adaptive ER in psychiatric rehabilitation. Further research is warranted to clarify the specific mechanisms and potential long-term benefits of mindful self-compassion interventions in clinical populations. .
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 |