Self-Compassion Training for Individuals With Social Anixety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Date
2019-08
Authors
Teale-Sapach, Michelle
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina
Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is an impairing disorder that is often chronic because many individuals meeting diagnostic criteria avoid seeking treatment due to the stigma associated with receiving mental health care (Olfson et al., 2000). Self-compassion is the ability to offer oneself kindness and compassion in response to failure, suffering, or insecurity (Neff, 2003a). Research evidence has supported the effectiveness of self-compassion training programs at improving psychological well-being in general community samples (e.g., Neff & Germer, 2013); nevertheless, research is needed regarding the effectiveness of self-compassion training in clinical samples. The current randomized controlled trial was designed to (a) examine the effectiveness of a self-guided self-compassion training program, and (b) determine whether self-compassion training can help mitigate SAD symptoms in a clinical sample. Participants with SAD (n = 63) were randomized to either a waitlist control condition, a 6-week self-guided self-compassion training condition, or a 6-week self-guided applied relaxation training condition. Measures of self-compassion, SAD-related symptoms, and other measures of psychological well-being were completed pre-, mid-, and post-treatment, as well as at 3-months follow-up. Multilevel linear modelling was used to test the effectiveness of the self-compassion program at improving self-compassion and life satisfaction, as well as reducing symptoms of SAD, general anxiety, stress, and depression in comparison to the waitlist control and the applied relaxation training conditions. Results supported the self-compassion training program as superior for improving the measures of psychological distress relative to the waitlist control condition, but not relative to the applied relaxation training condition. The self-compassion training condition appeared superior for ii developing self-compassion and reducing fear of self-compassion compared to both the waitlist control and applied relaxation training conditions. The results also supported the development of self-compassion as potentially beneficial for managing SAD symptoms. The current trial provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of a self-help self-compassion training program and provides the first evidence that self-guided self-compassion training is beneficial for individuals with SAD. Keywords: randomized controlled trial; social anxiety disorder; self-compassion; self-compassion training

Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, University of Regina. xi, 148 p
Keywords
Citation