Abstract
Self-compassion is a topic of growing research interest and is represented by six facets including self-kindness, self-judgement,
mindfulness, over-identification, common humanity and isolation. Recent research interest has begun to examine the use of
self-focused compassion and mindfulness as a way of alleviating the distress associated with psychological disorders. Little
research exists to examine the relationship between self-compassion, depression, anxiety and stress among individuals who
are alcohol-dependent. The present study aimed to address this gap by examining whether high levels of self-compassion will
be associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety and alcohol use at entry to treatment. We also examined whether clients
whose self-compassion improved over time also reported improvement in depression, anxiety and alcohol use at follow-up. Participants
in this study were clients of a publicly funded Drug and Alcohol Service, who completed a baseline and 15-week independent
clinical assessment that corresponded with their entry into and exit from treatment with the Service. At baseline, study participants
were significantly higher in depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol use, and lower in self-compassion than the general population.
At 15 weeks follow-up, participants reported a significant increase in self-compassion, mindfulness, common humanity and self-kindness,
and significant decreases in self-judgement, isolation and over-identification. This study provides important preliminary
data on self-compassion among a group of people with alcohol dependence.
mindfulness, over-identification, common humanity and isolation. Recent research interest has begun to examine the use of
self-focused compassion and mindfulness as a way of alleviating the distress associated with psychological disorders. Little
research exists to examine the relationship between self-compassion, depression, anxiety and stress among individuals who
are alcohol-dependent. The present study aimed to address this gap by examining whether high levels of self-compassion will
be associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety and alcohol use at entry to treatment. We also examined whether clients
whose self-compassion improved over time also reported improvement in depression, anxiety and alcohol use at follow-up. Participants
in this study were clients of a publicly funded Drug and Alcohol Service, who completed a baseline and 15-week independent
clinical assessment that corresponded with their entry into and exit from treatment with the Service. At baseline, study participants
were significantly higher in depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol use, and lower in self-compassion than the general population.
At 15 weeks follow-up, participants reported a significant increase in self-compassion, mindfulness, common humanity and self-kindness,
and significant decreases in self-judgement, isolation and over-identification. This study provides important preliminary
data on self-compassion among a group of people with alcohol dependence.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s12671-012-0106-5
- Authors
- Michelle Brooks, School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Frances Kay-Lambkin, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW, Sydney, Australia 2052
- Jenny Bowman, School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
- Steven Childs, Central Coast Drug and Alcohol Clinical Service, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service, Gosford, NSW, Australia
- Journal Mindfulness
- Online ISSN 1868-8535
- Print ISSN 1868-8527