Abstract
Objectives
The current study aimed to examine the mechanisms of change that mediate the impact of a compassionate mind training (CMT) intervention, in particular, whether changes in compassion, fears of compassion and heart rate variability (HRV) would mediate the effects of a brief CMT intervention on psychological vulnerability factors, mental health indicators and positive affect.
Methods
Using a longitudinal design, general population participants were randomly assigned to one of the two conditions: compassionate mind training (n = 56) and wait list control (n = 37). Participants in the CMT condition attended a psychoeducation session and practiced a set of core CMT exercises for 2 weeks. Self-report measures of compassion, fears of compassion, self-criticism, shame, depression, stress and positive affect were completed, and HRV was assessed at pre- and post-intervention.
Results
Mediation analyses revealed that increases in compassion for self and from others and reductions in fears of compassion for self, for others and from others mediated the effects of CMT on self-criticism and shame. In depression and stress, compassion for the self and from others and fears of compassion for the self emerged as significant mediators. Compassion for the self and from others and fears of compassion for self and from others significantly mediated the effect of CMT in safe affect. Compassion for the self, fears of compassion for self and for others and HRV mediated changes in relaxed affect.
Conclusions
Cultivating a compassionate mind/self-identity through the core components of CMT may stimulate vagal regulatory activity and positively impact one’s ability to experience and be open to compassion, and thus promote emotion regulation, well-being and mental health.
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Data Availability
The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the authors.
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This research was partly funded by the Compassionate Mind Foundation UK (www.compassionatemind.co.uk).
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MM designed and executed the study, performed the data analyses and wrote the original draft of the manuscript and subsequent review and editing. CD assisted with the design and implementation of the study and data analyses. JD assisted with the design and implementation of the study and data analyses. JPG collaborated with the design of the study and discussion of results. NP analysed the HRV data and collaborated in the review and editing of the final manuscript. PG designed the study and collaborated in the discussion of results and in the writing, review and editing of the final manuscript.
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Matos, M., Duarte, C., Duarte, J. et al. Cultivating the Compassionate Self: an Exploration of the Mechanisms of Change in Compassionate Mind Training. Mindfulness 13, 66–79 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01717-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01717-2