<div> <p>Research and clinical interest in self-compassion has grown due to its positive links with a variety of physical and psychological health outcomes. This burgeoning interest calls for measures of self-compassion that are theoretically supported and empirically validated. The purpose of this project was to (1) develop a new self-compassion measure, the Self-compassion Inventory (SCI), and (2) test its psychometric properties. To obtain feedback on potential SCI items, a cognitive interviewing study was completed with cancer patients (<i>n</i> = 10). Qualitative findings suggested that, in most cases, items were easily understood and participants’ reasoning for their responses aligned with the intention of each item. After altering certain items based on participant feedback, the scale was then tested with a group of adults with breast, gastrointestinal, lung, and prostate cancer (<i>n</i> = 404). Confirmatory factor analyses suggested a unidimensional structure and internal consistency reliability was excellent. Construct validity of the measure was established through correlations with other psychological variables hypothesized to be related to self-compassion. Evidence of the incremental validity of the SCI relative to the Self-Compassion Scale Short-Form (SCS-SF) also was obtained. For example, the SCI showed smaller correlations with negative psychological variables (e.g., depressive symptoms, anxiety) than the SCS-SF. In supplemental analyses, a 5-item version of the measure, the Brief Self-compassion Inventory (BSCI) was tested and found to have a unidimensional structure, excellent internal consistency, and evidence of validity. Furthermore, measurement invariance testing of the BSCI indicated that the measure could be used across populations of varying genders, cancer types, and stages of illness. Through robust testing, the SCI and BSCI were determined to be psychometrically sound and can be used in both clinical and research settings.<b></b></p> </div> <b><br></b>

Health care professionals are at higher risk for work-related stress, burnout and compassion fatigue than other professionals. One coping strategy that has attracted considerable attention is the practice of self-compassion. Self-compassion training is associated with psychological benefits such as decreased self-criticism and rumination and increased connectedness, mindfulness, and life satisfaction. (Smeets et al., 2014). While there is preliminary evidence that online self-compassion training is as effective as in-person training (Finlay-Jones et al., 2016), length and duration of online programs may affect adherence. Accordingly, this study assessed the feasibility of a short, 4-week online self-compassion program tailored for students in health care professions. Since this was an exploratory study, there was no control group. A convenience sample of 31 students who were registered in health care profession programs at the University of Ottawa and other Canadian universities were recruited. Key feasibility indicators included ease of recruitment, retention, completion of outcome measures, and acceptability of the program (adherence, satisfaction, ease of use). The study also obtained preliminary data on the effects of the intervention on levels of self-compassion, mindfulness, depression, anxiety and stress. Recruitment was easier than expected, with 31 participants enrolled in the study within a 2-month period. Of these, 21 started the self-compassion training. Adherence to the daily self-compassion meditations was poor, with only four participants meditating at least 50% of the expected number of days. Participants rated the self-compassion meditations as easy to follow and satisfaction ratings were acceptable for three of the four meditations. However, only two of the meditations were perceived to be relevant to healthcare professions. Intent-to-treat analyses revealed that the mindfulness facet Nonjudge and levels of stress improved from pre-to- post study. Separate analyses on program starters revealed that the mindfulness facets Describe, Nonjudge, and Act with Awareness, and levels of stress and anxiety improved. However, it is unlikely that these changes were attributed to the meditation practice given the poor rate of adherence. Overall, results suggest that this brief online self-compassion meditation training may not be feasible for healthcare trainees at this time without certain modifications to the program.

Sexual abuse is a traumatic event, which leaves survivors with mental, physical and emotional needs. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore whether closed group music therapy sessions could enhance self-compassion, as reported and expressed by sexual abuse survivors. The music therapy process that was conducted was designed to facilitate the three core constructs of self-compassion as researched by Kirsten Neff (2003a), namely self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. The study explored the experiences of six sexual abuse survivors residing at a community centre in Lavender Hill, Cape Town, South Africa. Music therapy sessions took place once a week for a period of six weeks and the main musical components of the sessions included song-writing, group singing, drumming, vocal and instrumental improvisations and relaxation. The findings emerged from the interpretive phenomenological analysis of the individual semi-structured interview transcripts and thick descriptions of excerpts of the audio recordings. From the findings of this study it was concluded that the group music therapy sessions offered sexual abuse survivors opportunities for: self-exploration, self-confidence, interpersonal connections, the experience of being supported, encouragement, enjoyment and vitality, stress relief, emotional exploration and expression, and transformation of perspectives. These findings were represented by the following three main themes; characteristics of their lifeworlds, the affordances of music therapy for the group, and the group’s experience of transformation, which are then discussed in relation to self-compassion. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Music / MMus / Unrestricted

Ubuntu is an African humanist philosophy described by the Nguni aphorism “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” which translates as a person is a person through other people. While Ubuntu has been a domain of extensive scholarly research, to date almost all of this work has been philosophical or conceptual; by contrast, there is a dearth of empirical research examining the nature of Ubuntu. Scholars provide indicator values, namely descriptive abstract nouns, of Ubuntu with no consistency in how the indicator values were derived because the concept lacks a clear definition. The challenges arising from the lack of a clear definition of Ubuntu can be attributed to the fact that there is no empirical research that has been conducted to develop a reliable and valid measure of Ubuntu. This research operationalised Ubuntu by developing a psychometrically reliable and valid scale for measuring Ubuntu. The research established the underlying dimensions of Ubuntu. This thesis develops and validates a scale to measure Ubuntu using a mixed-methods, multiple study approach. First, a literature review identifies 82 indicator values of Ubuntu. Next, using focus groups, depth interviews, and q-sorting, three nascent components of Ubuntu emerge: humanness, interconnectedness, and compassion. Finally, across three quantitative studies, the scale is purified to seventeen items which exhibit a three-factor structure that is psychometrically reliable and valid. The Ubuntu scale has discriminant validity relative to a collectivism scale and demonstrates predictive validity in terms of charitable and altruistic behaviours. This study contributes towards the development of theory through conceptualisation of Ubuntu. The current study utilised large sample sizes to replicate the factor structure, reliability, and construct validity of the measure including nomological validity assessment and measurement invariance. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / DPhil / Unrestricted

We conducted 3 studies examining the efficacy of web-based self-compassionate journaling (SCJ). The goal was to compare the effects of guided and self-administered journaling on selfreported follow-up self-compassion scores and participant perceptions of the induction. In Study 1 participants were randomly assigned to an online SCJ exercise, online narrative journaling control group, or attention control (AC) group, with groups completing tasks for 4 weeks. In Study 2 participants self-selected into either online or in-lab conditions to complete a single-time SCJ exercise. Study 3 was a replication of Study 2, with participants being randomly assigned to conditions. There were no differences in self-compassion between groups in Study 1. However, there was a small but significant overall increase in self-compassion among participants from baseline to follow-up. There were self-compassion differences between online and in-lab groups in Study 2 (with a small effect size). However, these differences were not maintained when the covariate of baseline trait self-compassion was removed from analyses. Study 3 failed to replicate significant findings from Study 2 in all but one variable: whether participants completing the induction alone found the task more difficult to complete. In general, SCJ may not be an adequate way to increase self-compassion regardless of whether it is learned online or in a laboratory setting. Furthermore, those who learn SCJ alone online report difficulty in completing the induction.

Bakgrund: Compassion fatigue har beskrivits som ett tillstånd som främst drabbar hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal som kontinuerligt exponeras för andras lidande. Arbete inom den palliativa vården kan medföra arbetsrelaterad stress kopplad till olika faktorer såsom bristande kompetens, patienter som hastigt försämras i sitt hälsotillstånd samt organisatoriska faktorer såsom arbetsmiljö. De etiska riktlinjerna för sjuksköterskans profession belyser specifikt empati som en central del i mötet med patienten. Sjuksköterskor inom palliativ vård har beskrivits som särskilt utsatta för psykologisk stress som kan leda till compassion fatigue. Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka innebörden av begreppet compassion fatigue med inriktning på hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal inom palliativ vård. Metod: En begreppsanalys har genomförts i enlighet med metoden för begreppsanalys av Walker och Avant (2019). Resultat: Tre definierande attribut till compassion fatigue framkom: emotionell börda, minskad förmåga att visa empati samt fysisk och psykisk utmattning. Förutsättningar för compassion fatigue var upprepad exponering för andras lidande eller trauma, utövande av empati, brist på egenvård samt bristfälligt stöd (på arbetsplatsen och/eller socialt). Konsekvenserna för begreppet compassion fatigue var förminskad tilltro till sin kompetens, försämrad kvalitet på vården samt risk för att säga upp sig. Slutsats: Inom palliativ vård exponeras hälso- och sjukvårdspersonalen kontinuerligt av lidande vilket gör dessa till en riskgrupp för utvecklandet av compassion fatigue. Denna begreppsanalys bidrar till ökad kunskap om begreppet compassion fatigue inom specialistområdet palliativ vård, dess orsaker och konsekvenser vilket i sin tur kan öka medvetenheten kring begreppets förekomst.

Compassion is an affective state and comprises recognition of the suffering of others and a motivation to help them. Studies have indicated that compassion is trainable and compassion training based on contemplative practice has beneficial effects on well-being. The primary aim of this thesis was to conduct a systematic review on the functional and structural neural effects of compassion training in healthy adults. The secondary aim was to review the psychological or behavioral changes after compassion training in the reviewed articles. Eight articles employing compassion meditation or loving-kindness meditation, and applying the same definition of compassion, were reviewed. The neural effects of compassion training were diverse, but changes in the activity of the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC), the amygdala, and reward-related areas were the most consistent outcomes. Also, compassion training resulted in increased positive affect and feelings of compassion, decreased depression scores, and more charitable donations (i.e., prosociality). The findings of this systematic review suggest that compassion training engages a broader neural network than previous studies have indicated and is a strategy that may lead to improved well-being andprosocial behavior.

Compassion fatigue har beskrivits som ett tillstånd som främst drabbar hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal som kontinuerligt exponeras för andras lidande. Arbete inom den palliativa vården kan medföra arbetsrelaterad stress kopplad till olika faktorer såsom bristande kompetens, patienter som hastigt försämras i sitt hälsotillstånd samt organisatoriska faktorer såsom arbetsmiljö. De etiska riktlinjerna för sjuksköterskans profession belyser specifikt empati som en central del i mötet med patienten. Sjuksköterskor inom palliativ vård har beskrivits som särskilt utsatta för psykologisk stress som kan leda till compassion fatigue. Syftet var att undersöka innebörden av begreppet compassion fatigue med inriktning på hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal inom palliativ vård. En begreppsanalys har genomförts i enlighet med metoden för begreppsanalys av Walker och Avant (2019). Tre definierande attribut till compassion fatigue framkom: emotionell börda, minskad förmåga att visa empati samt fysisk och psykisk utmattning. Förutsättningar för compassion fatigue var upprepad exponering för andras lidande eller trauma, utövande av empati, brist på egenvård samt bristfälligt stöd (på arbetsplatsen och/eller socialt). Konsekvenserna för begreppet compassion fatigue var förminskad tilltro till sin kompetens, försämrad kvalitet på vården samt risk för att säga upp sig.   Inom palliativ vård exponeras hälso- och sjukvårdspersonalen kontinuerligt av lidande vilket gör dessa till en riskgrupp för utvecklandet av compassion fatigue. Denna begreppsanalys bidrar till ökad kunskap om begreppet compassion fatigue inom specialistområdet palliativ vård, dess orsaker och konsekvenser vilket i sin tur kan öka medvetenheten kring begreppets förekomst.

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