The Role of Self-Compassion in the Health of Psychologists and Non-psychologists - Report Example

rасtiсаl Rероrt Name Institution The role of Self-compassion in health of psychologists and non-psychologists Introduction Compassion directed towards oneself has no big difference compared to compassion towards other people. Compassion towards someone else involves a process of first realizing what the other person is going through. Most likely, they are going through suffering or painful situations. Compassion also involves feeling exactly what the other person is going through so that their pain and suffering moves how one feels. This makes one feel the desire to help them end the suffering. It also means that you would feel kindness and have the ability to understand people even when they make mistakes. Instead of judging them, you will be able to forgive and guide their future actions. When one feels compassion for others, it means that a person felt more than just pity, but rather kindness, understanding and realizing that failure, suffering and imperfection are part of being human (Gilbert & Proctor, 2007). Self-compassion is feeling the same way a person would have felt towards another, to himself or herself, when one is going through a difficult time. The best way to deal with one’s grief and difficult time is to ask oneself how they could apply self-compassion. A person should recognize their failures and shortcomings in life, and realize that they are imperfect. Research shows that people who show self-compassion deal with stress and other issues better than people with no self-compassion do. Also, researchers suggest that self-esteem is a way of dealing with suffering, but has more shortcomings compared to self-compassion. Neff defined self-compassion as a component of three segments. They are self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. All three components encompass what was explained in the previous paragraphs. Research conducted so far was been based on the self-compassion scale. The scale measured how individuals displayed their abilities of self-judgment and self-kindness. This study seeks to examine the levels of self-care, self-compassion, anxiety and depression among university students (Kashdan, Rose, & Fincham, 2004). Literature review According to Neff, Kirkpatrick, & Rude (2004), self-compassion involved understanding oneself in times of difficulty, suffering and inadequacy that is perceived as a feeling. It should create a balance between feeling and being aware of painful emotions and being able to face them, rather than avoid them. Issues of excess pity, drama and exaggeration of feelings would not help in exercising self-compassion. According to these authors, self-compassion has more benefits towards health and sorting out psychological problems. Research conducted by various researchers had proved that self-compassion has a negative relationship with factors like depression, anxiety, self-criticism, and neurotic perfectionism. Self-compassion was positively associated with social satisfaction and life contentedness. Self-compassion was also found to improve psychological and mental health while at the same time reducing the stress levels while improving an interest in learning, according to Neff, Kirkpatrick & Rude (2004). Research according to Shapiro, Astin, Bishop & Cordova (2005) has proved that self-compassion is differentiated from self-esteem. Even though they the two are related in one way or another, self-compassion has more positive correlations to giving results that reduce stress, anger and depression than self-esteem. After one has accepted their weakness through self-compassion, anxiety levels are lower than in self-esteem cases. Self-compassion also increases emotional stability because self-pity and emotional exaggeration are ignored. Swann (1996) says that even though self-compassion has more benefits to the field of psychology, further research is also very necessary. This research would help explore further areas that have not been previously looked at and also provide an opportunity for people to embrace the mindset. Previous researches have heavily relied on the negative association between self-esteem and psychopathology. Thus, current research is becoming more focus upon self-compassion compared to self-esteem, and self-compassion with regard to positive relationships with relevant aspects of life that improve health and mental well-being. Watson, Clark & Tellegen (1988), talk about the relationship between self-care and self-esteem in psychologists. Many psychologists are not immune to health issues and mental problems. Many researchers suggest that psychologists with some degree of self-compassion can easily overcome barriers to psychological problems. Those with low self-compassion or none at all have a lot of difficulties in prevail over psychological barriers. Those who have a high degree to have self-compassion would easily overcome problems and do their work more easily. The researchers insist that most results encourage self-compassion in the psychology profession. Many expectations from clients, family, friends and colleagues for psychologists to deliver more and become role models in the society force he psychologists to work under pressure. They sometimes experience psychological and mental problems such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, social problems and interpersonal relationship problems. Psychologists are also at a high risk of experiencing trauma and depression due to the issues they handle from clients. Study indicates self-compassion is a possible way of overcoming such stressors in life and in line of work for psychologists facing difficulties. Self-compassion has been proved to reduce stress and anxiety levels according to Shapiro, Astin, Bishop & Cordova (2005). In a study conducted by the researchers in 1982 for eight weeks on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) found that self-compassion increased and brought positive attitude towards stress reduction. The research was conducted on about 54 psychologists. At the end of the study, self-compassion was found to relate negatively to stress and anxiety while having a positive relationship towards coping skills and resilience. The results of this study indicate that self-compassion could be used positively in trying to solve issues affecting psychologist. The researchers concluded, as did researchers like Freud and Jung in the early days of the psychology discipline that self-care and personal therapy is vital to emotions and professionally recommended. Methodology Participants The participants of this research were divided into two groups where the first group included all students undertaking Health and Lifespan Developmental Psychology III course in the School of Psychology, at the University of Adelaide second semester of year 2013 while the second group consisted of undergraduate university students who are not and have never been enrolled in a psychology course offered by a University school or TAFE college. The sample was randomly selected to minimize chances of subjective bias. A sample of 103 students was selected in both groups, who later subjected to interview questions and filling of questionnaire. The questionnaires contained short, simple, direct, and relevant questions to the research topic to improve the validity and reliability of data. The researchers ensured that the respondents easily understood the questions asked in the interviews. Procedure The researcher administered questionnaires online, upon notifying the respondents and booking appointments with them. The researcher ensured that all the two groups of respondents filled the questionnaires online and submitted dully filled questionnaires in time. The results from the responses on the questionnaires were then standardized using a number of psychological measures. These measures include the self-compassion scale, which was a 5 point rating scale. The subscales in this measure included self-kindness, common humanity, self-judgment, mindfulness, over identification, and isolation. Another psychological measure used was the Professional Quality of Life Scale, which consisted of ten items rated on a 5 point Likert scale. The last type of scales used in this research was the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, which contained 21 questions that are relevant to the research topic, and contained three subscales, that measured stress, anxiety, and depression. Results The researcher obtained descriptive statistics on the collected data, and came up with a matrix that shows this measures using SPSS statistical package. The analysis of the data was done at 95% confidence interval and at a confidence level of α = 0.05. To obtain the relationship between the variables under study, the researcher correlated all the variables and came up with a correlation matrix as shown. The raw data set as inputted in an SPPS interface is shown below, and thereafter, the correlation matrices between the variables under study. ifoundmyselfgettingupsetbyquitetrivialthings String 8 0 2 {0, didnotapplayatall}... None 15 Left Ordinal iwasawreofdrynessofmymouth String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal icouldntseemtoexperiencesnypositivefeelingatall String 8 0 0 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal iexperiencedbreathingdifficulty String 8 0 3 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ijustcouldntseemtogetgoing String 8 0 2 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal itendedtooverreacttosituations String 8 0 2 {0, didnotapplyatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ihadafeelingofsickness String 8 0 0 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifounditdifficulttorelax String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifoundmyselfinsituationsthatmademesoanxious String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltthatihadnothingtolookfowardto String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifoundmyselfupseteasily Numeric 8 0 2 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Right Ordinal ifoundmyselfnervous String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltsadanddeppresed String 8 0 2 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifoundmyselfgettingimpatientduetoanydelays String 8 0 2 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ihadafeelingoffaintness String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltihavelostinterestineverything String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltiwasntworthaperson String 8 0 3 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltiwasrathertouchy String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal iperspirednoticably String 8 0 0 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltscaredwithoutagoodreason String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltterrified String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltlifewasmeaningless String 8 0 2 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal iexperiencedtrembling String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifoundmyselfgettingagitated String 8 0 1 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal ifeltclosetopanic String 8 0 2 {0, didnotapplytomeatall}... None 8 Left Ordinal The following matrix compares the variables of the two groups of students in the sample, which consists of students who are taking psychology and those who are not. The output was the following correlation matrix: Measure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 α = .91 .88 .68 .67 .72 .65 .80 1. Happiness .57 2. Optimism .62 .58 3. Self compassion .28 .39 .45 4. Depression .35 -.36 -.12 1 5. Anxiety -.56 -.26 -.67 -.75 1 6. Stress -.56 -.35 .67 -.66 .33 1 7. Self-care .29 .49 .89 .65 .90 .45 1 The table below shows the summary of descriptive statistics of the analysis: DASS scale Mean Standard deviation Normal Mild Severe Extreme Depression 4.81 5.6 80 11 4 1 Anxiety 2.12 3.6 87 6 5 0 Stress 9.02 6.02 82 7 11 0 Discussion At the end of the study, self-compassion was found to relate negatively to stress and anxiety while having a positive relationship towards coping skills and resilience. The results of this study indicate that self-compassion could be used positively in trying to solve issues affecting psychologist. The researchers concluded, as did researchers like Freud and Jung in the early days of the psychology discipline that self-care and personal therapy is vital to emotions and professionally recommended (Shapiro, Astin, Bishop, & Cordova, 2005). References Gilbert, P. & Proctor, S. (2007). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. Kashdan, T. B., Rose, P., & Fincham, F. D. (2004). Curiosity and exploration: facilitating positive subjective experiences and personal growth opportunities. Journal of Personality Assessment, 82, 291–305. Leary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Adams, C. E., & Allen, A. B. (2006). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant selfrelevant events: the implications of treating oneself kindly. Unpublished manuscript. Lutz, A., Greischar, L. L., Rawlings, N. B., Ricard, M., & Davidson, R. J. (2004). Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101, 16369–16373. Neff, K. D., Kirkpatrick, K. & Rude, S. S (2004). (in press). Self-compassion and its link to adaptive psychological functioning. Journal of Research in Personality. Shapiro, S. L., Astin, J. A., Bishop, S. R., & Cordova, M. (2005). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for health care professionals: results from a randomized trial. International Journal of Stress Management, 12, 164–176. Swann, W. B. (1996). Self-traps: the elusive quest for higher self-esteem. New York: Freeman. Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative aVect: the PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063–1070. Read More

It should create a balance between feeling and being aware of painful emotions and being able to face them, rather than avoid them. Issues of excess pity, drama and exaggeration of feelings would not help in exercising self-compassion. According to these authors, self-compassion has more benefits towards health and sorting out psychological problems. Research conducted by various researchers had proved that self-compassion has a negative relationship with factors like depression, anxiety, self-criticism, and neurotic perfectionism.

Self-compassion was positively associated with social satisfaction and life contentedness. Self-compassion was also found to improve psychological and mental health while at the same time reducing the stress levels while improving an interest in learning, according to Neff, Kirkpatrick & Rude (2004). Research according to Shapiro, Astin, Bishop & Cordova (2005) has proved that self-compassion is differentiated from self-esteem. Even though they the two are related in one way or another, self-compassion has more positive correlations to giving results that reduce stress, anger and depression than self-esteem.

After one has accepted their weakness through self-compassion, anxiety levels are lower than in self-esteem cases. Self-compassion also increases emotional stability because self-pity and emotional exaggeration are ignored. Swann (1996) says that even though self-compassion has more benefits to the field of psychology, further research is also very necessary. This research would help explore further areas that have not been previously looked at and also provide an opportunity for people to embrace the mindset.

Previous researches have heavily relied on the negative association between self-esteem and psychopathology. Thus, current research is becoming more focus upon self-compassion compared to self-esteem, and self-compassion with regard to positive relationships with relevant aspects of life that improve health and mental well-being. Watson, Clark & Tellegen (1988), talk about the relationship between self-care and self-esteem in psychologists. Many psychologists are not immune to health issues and mental problems.

Many researchers suggest that psychologists with some degree of self-compassion can easily overcome barriers to psychological problems. Those with low self-compassion or none at all have a lot of difficulties in prevail over psychological barriers. Those who have a high degree to have self-compassion would easily overcome problems and do their work more easily. The researchers insist that most results encourage self-compassion in the psychology profession. Many expectations from clients, family, friends and colleagues for psychologists to deliver more and become role models in the society force he psychologists to work under pressure.

They sometimes experience psychological and mental problems such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, social problems and interpersonal relationship problems. Psychologists are also at a high risk of experiencing trauma and depression due to the issues they handle from clients. Study indicates self-compassion is a possible way of overcoming such stressors in life and in line of work for psychologists facing difficulties. Self-compassion has been proved to reduce stress and anxiety levels according to Shapiro, Astin, Bishop & Cordova (2005).

In a study conducted by the researchers in 1982 for eight weeks on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) found that self-compassion increased and brought positive attitude towards stress reduction. The research was conducted on about 54 psychologists. At the end of the study, self-compassion was found to relate negatively to stress and anxiety while having a positive relationship towards coping skills and resilience. The results of this study indicate that self-compassion could be used positively in trying to solve issues affecting psychologist.

The researchers concluded, as did researchers like Freud and Jung in the early days of the psychology discipline that self-care and personal therapy is vital to emotions and professionally recommended.

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