Abstract
Self‐criticism is the process of negative self‐evaluation. High levels are associated with psychopathology and poorer therapeutic outcomes. Self‐compassion interventions were developed to explicitly target self‐criticism. The aim of this review was to estimate the overall effect of self‐compassion related interventions on self‐criticism outcomes and investigate potential moderating variables. A systematic search of the literature identified 20 randomised controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. Nineteen papers, involving 1350 participants, had sufficient data to be included in the meta‐analysis. Pre and post data points were extracted for the compassion and control groups. Study quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool which concluded that studies were of moderate quality. Meta‐analysis findings indicated that self‐compassion related interventions produce a significant, medium reduction in self‐criticism in comparison to control groups (Hedges g= 0.51, 95% CI [0.33‐0.69]). Moderator analysis found greater reductions in self‐criticism when self‐compassion related interventions were longer and compared to passive controls, rather than active. The remaining moderators of forms of self‐criticism, sample type, intervention delivery, intervention setting and risk of bias ratings were insignificant. Overall, the review provides promising evidence of the effectiveness of self‐compassion related interventions for reducing self‐criticism. However, results are limited by moderate quality studies with high heterogeneity. Directions for future research indicate that more RCTs with active controls, follow‐ups, consistent use and reporting of measures and diverse samples are needed.