It has been hypothesized that negative emotions, left unresolved, contribute to feelings of burnout experienced by teachers. Self-compassion offers a kind, mindful way of approaching difficult emotions. The purpose of this study is to explore how teachers experience self-compassion by qualitative means. In semi-structured interviews, four elementary school teachers shared critical incidents of self-doubt or disappointment in their teaching. They also completed Neff's (2003a) Self Compassion Survey. Through intra-case and cross case analysis the findings revealed how teachers' lived experiences include episodes of conflict, reflection, resolution, and self-compassion, but in differing orders. Also, participants experienced self-compassion in ways that align with previous work on self-compassion, however an additional element of support seeking emerged. This study provided a context to understand the common ways in which self-compassion was lived out in the classroom while highlighting the differences in participants' experiences. This additional insight into the lived experience of the teachers adds to the body of knowledge regarding emotionality in the classroom and positive ways that teachers can and do regulate emotion through self-compassion. Additionally, participants' drive to seek support from others exposed a social side of self-compassion that Neff's (2003a) definition or a simple dictionary definition did not include.

This study examined the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) using secondary data drawn from 20 samples (N = 11,685)—7 English and 13 non-English—including 10 community, 6 student, 1 mixed community/student, 1 meditator, and 2 clinical samples. Self-compassion is theorized to represent a system with 6 constituent components: self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness and reduced self-judgment, isolation and overidentification. There has been controversy as to whether a total score on the SCS or if separate scores representing compassionate versus uncompassionate self-responding should be used. The current study examined the factor structure of the SCS using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) to examine 5 distinct models: 1-factor, 2-factor correlated, 6-factor correlated, single-bifactor (1 general self-compassion factor and 6 group factors), and 2-bifactor models (2 correlated general factors each with 3 group factors representing compassionate or uncompassionate self-responding). Results indicated that a 1- and 2-factor solution to the SCS had inadequate fit in every sample examined using both CFA and ESEM, whereas fit was excellent using ESEM for the 6-factor correlated, single-bifactor and correlated 2-bifactor models. However, factor loadings for the correlated 2-bifactor models indicated that 2 separate factors were not well specified. A general factor explained 95% of the reliable item variance in the single-bifactor model. Results support use of the SCS to examine 6 subscale scores (representing the constituent components of self-compassion) or a total score (representing overall self-compassion), but not separate scores representing compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding.

The main objective of this study was to determine which coping mechanisms have a higher impact on levels of stress in MSW graduate students. The distinctive aspect of this study was that the three primary points that were examined in MSW graduate students were spirituality, physical activity, and self-compassion. This study gathered quantitative data from students that were enrolled in the Master of Social Work program. There were a total of 102 participants in this study. A variety of bivariate analyses were conducted to assess the collected data. Significant outcomes from this study revealed that self-compassion was the best mitigator of stress levels. Spirituality was also found to be helpful in mitigating stress levels. Recommendations included the promotion of self-compassion in MSW graduate programs, along with agencies that provide additional training on self-compassion. Another important recommendation was for future studies to include date from other universities with MSW programs in order to expand and enrich the data.

Graduate students are often exposed to many stressors during their rigorous academic programs which may impact their overall well-being. Researchers have long believed that self-compassion can be used as an emotion-regulated strategy to cope with stress. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between self-compassion levels and coping mechanisms for stress among graduate social work students. Data were collected from 97 graduate social work students in a Hispanic-serving university in Southern California (N =97). Using non-parametric techniques, the Kruskal-Wallis Test and the Mann-Whitney Test, this study analyzed the correlation between self-compassion and coping mechanisms for stress, while separately controlling for demographic variables. Results showed a statistically significant correlation between self-compassion level and coping mechanisms (p < .001). The magnitude of this correlation was strong (η2 = .18). Implications of these findings for social work practice were discussed.

Working in mental health can be an extremely demanding job, which may often lead to compassion fatigue of therapists. This research study examines the factors that contribute to compassion fatigue among play therapists and therapists in the play therapy community. This research sought to measure the relationship between factors such as work-related stressors, demographics, and compassion fatigue. The research study gathered quantitative data from a convenient sample and a random sample. Data was collected via an online survey, which included informed consent, a demographic questionnaire, and the Professional Quality of Life Scale. Forty online surveys were completed by play therapists registered with a specific association (Group X) and at a non-profit agency located in Southern California. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21. A significant key finding was that play therapists are very satisfied with their career path and are experiencing high levels of compassion satisfaction. Another key finding from this study was there is a significant correlation between hours spent per week providing play therapy services and hours spent working with traumatized clients. Also, another key finding was there is a correlation between years licensed and primary work setting. This research study hopes to help play therapists who are interested in play therapy and give insight about compassion fatigue while also giving mental health agencies understanding of the work-related stressors that play therapists face while providing play therapy services.

Compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout (BO) in the novice nurse population can negatively affect the organization, patient safety, patient satisfaction, and the individual. Novice nurses are susceptible to the development of CF and BO due to a lack of knowledge about the causes and the stress experienced as the novice nurse transitions to practice. The purpose of this staff education project was to fill the gap in practice by creating awareness about CF and BO during the nurse orientation process and by providing prevention strategies. The relationship-based care model and the theory of planned behavior were used to guide the project development and to discover motivational factors to encourage self-care and improve the well-being and resiliency of the novice nurse. The post-education evaluation was an anonymous, 10-question, Likert-type survey. All participants scored each question based on the course learning objectives, feasibility, and efficacy of the program, with a (5) strongly agree or (4) agree. A descriptive analysis of the data collected from the survey scores provided information that positively supported the practice-focused question that staff education on CF, BO, and prevention strategies would add value to the novice nurses' orientation program by validating the stressors of working with patients and providing tools to promote self-care as they transition from student to practicing registered nurses. Future recommendations would be to offer this education to staff nurses in all units during the annual skills day, huddles, and staff meetings. This project has the ability to create positive social change by educating novice nurses early in their career about the symptoms and self-care measures designed to promote resiliency, thus preventing CF and BO.

Thesis (M.A.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The study deals with ubuntu as reflected in the selected novels of Magau, A.W and Maumela, E.T. Qualitative research method was employed. The study has discovered that ubuntu appears in many forms in Tshivenḓa such as respect for the dignity and worth of human beings, honesty, compassion, solidarity, generosity and forgiveness and reconciliation. The findings also reveal that Tshivenḓa puts more emphasis on activities which signify ubuntu than material wealth. The study also found that there are activities that are emical to ubuntu such as disrespect, dishonesty, cruelty, selfishness and greed and lack of forgiveness and reconciliation. Ubuntu occupies a central position amongst the Vhavenḓa and anyone who negates what ubuntu promotes and upholds has been regarded as non-human.

The claims of the traditional texts and teachers of Buddhist meditation include the enhancement of mental health. Twenty five meditators sitting a ten day retreat in Vipassana and Metta meditation were measured on a compassion scale and an androgyny index. The androgyny index was used to measure mental health. Compassion scores for all meditators increased slightly after the retreat. Experienced meditators had significantly higher scores than inexperienced meditators. Regardless of previous experience, meditators with high compassion scores significantly increased in androgyny after the retreat. The traditional claims for the enhancement of mental health are therefore supported by these results.

<p>Denna studie har till syfte att genom kvalitativa intervjuer studera om brottsofferstödjare upplever att deras hälsa påverkas av arbetet, och i så fall hur detta yttrar sig. Detta är ett ganska nytt område att forska inom, därför finns det ett stort behov av ytterligare kunskap inom området, och därav kommer mitt intresse.</p><p>Uppsatsen redogör för utvecklingen inom brottsstatistiken och uppkomsten av några olika brottsofferstödjande verksamheter. Tidigare forskning visar på att personer som arbetar med brottsofferstöd löper en stor risk att drabbas av negativa hälsoeffekter till följd av arbetet, dessa symptom benämns som compassion fatigue.</p><p>I studien intervjuades sex personer som arbetar inom brottsofferstödjande verksamhet, varav tre är anställda och tre arbetar ideellt. Intervjuerna analyserades utifrån Karasek och Theorells krav-kontroll-stöd modell. Resultaten av dessa intervjuer visar att dessa personer ibland känner att arbetet har en negativ inverkan på hur de mår, men detta är bara under korta perioder och inträffar inte särskilt ofta. Genom erfarenhet och stöd från arbetskamrater har man lärt sig att hantera de jobbiga situationer som kan uppstå, så att de inte ger någon långvarig inverkan. Det visats att trots att det finns brister i verksamheterna, t.ex. när det gäller ekonomi och möjligheten till handledning i arbetet, så upplevs arbetet ändå generellt sett som positivt. Den störta anledningen till detta är den glädje man upplever i och med att man lyckas hjälpa någon annan. Det goda överväger det onda. Det var dock en intervjuperson som skilde sig från de andra, genom att hon en gång hade blivit sjukskriven p.g.a. utbrändhet som följd av arbetssituationen, denna person var en av de som arbetade med brottsofferstöd som fast anställd. Detta är 17% av alla intervjupersonerna, och 33% av de anställda.</p>

Denna studie har till syfte att genom kvalitativa intervjuer studera om brottsofferstödjare upplever att deras hälsa påverkas av arbetet, och i så fall hur detta yttrar sig. Detta är ett ganska nytt område att forska inom, därför finns det ett stort behov av ytterligare kunskap inom området, och därav kommer mitt intresse. Uppsatsen redogör för utvecklingen inom brottsstatistiken och uppkomsten av några olika brottsofferstödjande verksamheter. Tidigare forskning visar på att personer som arbetar med brottsofferstöd löper en stor risk att drabbas av negativa hälsoeffekter till följd av arbetet, dessa symptom benämns som compassion fatigue. I studien intervjuades sex personer som arbetar inom brottsofferstödjande verksamhet, varav tre är anställda och tre arbetar ideellt. Intervjuerna analyserades utifrån Karasek och Theorells krav-kontroll-stöd modell. Resultaten av dessa intervjuer visar att dessa personer ibland känner att arbetet har en negativ inverkan på hur de mår, men detta är bara under korta perioder och inträffar inte särskilt ofta. Genom erfarenhet och stöd från arbetskamrater har man lärt sig att hantera de jobbiga situationer som kan uppstå, så att de inte ger någon långvarig inverkan. Det visats att trots att det finns brister i verksamheterna, t.ex. när det gäller ekonomi och möjligheten till handledning i arbetet, så upplevs arbetet ändå generellt sett som positivt. Den störta anledningen till detta är den glädje man upplever i och med att man lyckas hjälpa någon annan. Det goda överväger det onda. Det var dock en intervjuperson som skilde sig från de andra, genom att hon en gång hade blivit sjukskriven p.g.a. utbrändhet som följd av arbetssituationen, denna person var en av de som arbetade med brottsofferstöd som fast anställd. Detta är 17% av alla intervjupersonerna, och 33% av de anställda.