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Among sexual minorities, public stigma and discrimination are common experiences that can lead to self-stigma and the internalization of heterosexism. Szymansky, Kashubeck-West, and Meyer (2008) summarized previous literature, reporting that internalized heterosexism is correlated with stunted sexual identity formation, nondisclosure of sexual orientation, lower self-esteem, less social support, depression, and psychosocial distress. Importantly, it is not necessary to experience enacted stigma (i.e., discrimination) first-hand for it to have an impact on sexual minorities (Herek, 2007). All individuals, collectively, are aware of the stigmatized ways particular groups are treated, and this awareness become personally relevant once individuals hold the stigmatized identity (Link, 2001). Coping strategies and resources may therefore be of utmost importance to protecting the wellbeing of sexual minorities. This study examined self-compassion as one such resource that may serve to mitigate the negative effects of sexual stigma of the self, in particular the internalization of public stigma. Indeed, previous research suggests self-compassion may be an effective and healthy coping strategy (Allen and Leary, 2010), correlated with increased well-being, positive psychological functioning (Neff, 2003), happiness, optimism, positive affect, and wisdom, and decreased negative affect and neuroticism (Neff, Rude, & Kirkpatrick, 2007). Sexual minorities, by using mechanisms of self-compassion, may reduce the likelihood of endorsing stigma toward themselves and anticipating discrimination. Thus, we hypothesized that increased self-compassion would be linked with reduced self-stigma, internalized heterosexism, and anticipated discrimination. A large-scale and online survey of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals (n = 254; 59% female) revealed that as self-compassion increased, self-reports of self-stigma (r=-.27, p<.001), internalized heterosexism ( r=-.238; p <.001), and anticipated discrimination (r=-.14, p<.001) decreased. These findings and results of a self-compassion experimental induction study will be discussed to highlight self-compassion as a potential buffer against harmful realities of internalizing sexual minority stigma.

When dealing with issues related to their stigmatized identity, individuals may face a trade-off when deciding whether to seek social support directly. They may suffer short-term consequences in order to receive social support, or may avoid short-term consequences but suffer long-term consequences of decreased psychological well-being due to limited opportunities for social support (Kaiser & Miller, 2004; Swim & Thomas, 2006). Indeed, those who perceive stigma may avoid seeking support directly and seek social support in indirect ways (e.g., hinting, seeking support without disclosing) due to fear of rejection (Williams & Mickelson, 2008). Further, indirect support seeking is related to a lack of social support while direct support seeking is related to supportive network responses (Williams & Mickelson, 2008). The present study sought to examine one mechanism that might explain decisions to seek support directly versus indirectly. Overall, self-compassion is the extent that an individual exhibits self-kindness, recognition of a common humanity, and mindfulness. Previous research has linked self-compassion to increased well-being and positive psychological functioning (Neff, Rude, & Kirkpatrick, 2007; Neff, 2003). Thus, we hypothesized that higher levels of self-compassion would be positively related to direct support seeking and negatively related to fear of rejection, perceived stigma, and indirect support seeking. We collected data from 440 (59% female) sexual minorities through participation in an online survey. Bivariate correlations revealed that self-compassion was positively related to direct support seeking (r = .211; p < .01) and negatively related to fear of rejection (r = -.199; p < .01), perceived stigma (r = -.146; p < .05) and indirect support seeking (r = -.303; p < .001). Self-compassion may serve as a protective mechanism among sexual minorities by enhancing support exchanges.

Research on compassion in organizations has grown over the last decade, however, there is still a need for empirical work on the topic before we truly understand compassion and the various factors that influence it in everyday organizational life (Atkins & Parker, 2012; Dutton, Workman & Hardin, 2014). The purpose of this dissertation is to review the current literature on compassion in organizations and extend research on compassion by exploring potential moderators of the relationship between compassionate feelings and compassionate responses from potential compassion givers. The moderators under investigation are in the form of individual (i.e., moral identity, moral disengagement), situational (i.e., cognitive appraisals) and organizational (i.e., ethical leadership, ethical climate) contextual variables. Findings from experimental and field studies are presented. Theoretical and practical implications of compassion in organizations are discussed, and areas for future research are identified.

Thesis advisor: Thomas H. Groome / The unprecedented degrees and forms of injustice and inequality found in the world today call for renewed concern to educate for justice derived from critical reflection on the complexities of our present social reality. Responding to this pressing need, this dissertation is built on the premise that the central criterion of Christian living in the contemporary world should be the pursuit of justice; in this pursuit, the role of Christian religious education, in a life-giving way, is more crucial than ever. This dissertation seeks a theological rationale and a pedagogical approach that promote a critical social consciousness and a commitment to work for justice out of compassion as prompted by Christian faith. Grounded in Jesus’s vision of the Reign of God, the Christian faith should attest that compassion and justice are integral to each other; justice must always be realized through compassion, and compassion ever needs to reach into the works of justice. Affirming such compassion-motivated justice in the Christian faith as care for others and commitment to the common good, this dissertation offers a reflective discourse and aims to renew an educational vision of being fully human in terms of the pursuit of justice. Rather than a theoretical delving into the definition of justice as an abstract concept, this dissertation addresses the questions of why justice matters, what justice should be sought in our historical context from a Christian perspective, and what crucial role Christian religious education can play in this quest. Chapter 1 investigates the hindrances to education for justice in faith found both in our sociocultural context and in distortedly shaped Christian faith. The following three chapters explore the constituent aspects of compassion-motivated justice in Christian faith in terms of partiality, emotion, and agency. These are in contrast with three tendencies commonly associated with understanding justice—impartiality, undue rationality, and impersonal principles— respectively. Chapter 2 emphasizes Jesus’ vision of the Reign of God as the foundation for Christians’ pursuit of justice and the contemporary theological attentiveness to the reality of unjust suffering. Chapter 3 discusses the possibility of compassionate anger in the face of social injustice as a constructive force for commitment to the work of justice. Particularly drawing upon John Wesley’s thought, Chapter 4 examines Methodism’s unique understanding of human agency in a dialectic relationship with God’s grace, and with emphasis on a person’s authenticity and integrity in seeking social transformation. Chapter 5 searches for a pedagogical approach to shape Christians’ commitments to the work of compassionate justice by promoting a way of knowing as praxis with which to integrate personal and social transformations in a life of lived Christian faith. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry.

Bakgrund: Palliativ vård beskrivs som komplex och utmanande där sjuksköterskor ständigt ställs inför etiska dilemman och känslomässiga utmaningar, ett tillstånd som kan leda till compassion fatigue som kan medföra sämre vård för patienter. Begreppet compassion beskrivs som en viktig komponent för att kunna bedriva personcentrerad vård, dels ur patienters perspektiv, dels utifrån lagar och styrdokument. Det teoretiska perspektivet poängterar vikten av sjuksköterskors konkreta handlingar utifrån mänskliga värden och engagemang. Syfte: Syftet är att skapa en översikt över faktorer som bidrar till compassion för sjuksköterskor inom palliativ vård. Metod: En allmän litteraturöversikt baserad på nio kvalitativa artiklar och tre kvantitativa artiklar. Resultat: Vikten av egenvård genom att sjuksköterskorna tar hand om sig själva är av central betydelse för att vårda med compassion. En annan faktor är förståelsen för sina egna känslor genom självmedvetenhet. Att sjuksköterskor får möjlighet till samtal genom att kommunicera med kollegor är också av stor betydelse. Slutligen visade resultatet även att relationen med patienterna är av stor vikt för möjligheten att visa compassion. Slutsats: Genom att förstå och tillämpa de faktorer som bidrar till compassion kan bättre arbetsförhållanden skapas där sjuksköterskor mår bättre och kan arbeta kvar längre. Vidare kan compassion bidra till en god personcentrerad palliativ vård. / Background: Palliative care is described as complex and challenging when nurses constantly experience emotional and ethical dilemmas. This can lead to a state of compassion fatigue that can imply impaired care for patients. Patient centred care contains the concept of compassion from both laws and from the perspective of patient’s experiences. The theoretical framework points out nurses actions based upon human values and commitment. Purpose: The purpose is to create an overview of factors that contribute to compassion for nurses in palliative care. Method: General literature review based on nine qualitative articles and three quantitative articles. Results: Four different themes of the result are presented. The importance of self-care and self-awareness among nurses is vital to be able to accomplish nursing care with compassion. The third theme describes that given time to communicate with colleagues that initiate reflection is important and lastly the importance of positive interactions with patients and to develop a close relationship with patients is a factor to be able to show compassionate care. Conclusion: By understanding and apply these factors that lead to compassionate care, can working conditions improve and nurses will stay longer at work. Further can compassion provide a genuine person centred palliative care.

Bakgrund: Ett av sjuksköterskornas huvuduppdrag är att lindra patienters lidande. Att lindra patienters lidande är en krävande skyldighet, vilket förutsätter att sjuksköterskor har förmåga att vara närvarande. Tidigare forskning visar att sjuksköterskor som har varit utsatta för patienter som lider under en längre tid löper större risk att utveckla medkänslaströtthet, om sjuksköterskorna inte har strategier för att hantera emotionell och moralisk stress. Medkänslasenergi är ett fenomen som kan dyka upp i mötet med patienter om sjuksköterskan bryr sig med avsikt att vara närvarande. Syfte: Att skapa en överblick över sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av att finna energi till vården. Metod: En allmän litteraturöversikt baserad på 13 vetenskapliga studier. Resultat:Resultatet visade att det finns flera gemensamma faktorer som invånare upplever. 3 teman härleddes: Erfarenheter av medkänsla och meningsfullhet, upplevelser av stöd och tillväxt och upplevelser av egenvård . Slutsats: Förmågan att ge medkänsla är avgörande för att uppleva medkänslasenergi. Faktorer som stöd från kollegor och organisation kan bidra till att sjuksköterskor hittar energi till vården. Sjuksköterskor har en önskan om att utveckla strategier för egenvård, tid för reflektion och vila för att kunna ge en medmänsklig vård, vilket kan leda till att sjuksköterskor upplever medmänsklighetsenergi.

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