MSC Research
Mindful Self Compassion
Kristin Neff in particular has pioneered research into the benefits of self-compassion for health, relationships, work stress, parenting and a host of other life issues. You can find out more specifics regarding this burgeoning field here on Kristin Neff’s website.
Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships.
In a randomized clinical trial of MSC with intervention group vs. wait-list control group (Neff & Germer, 2013) MSC led to significantly greater gains in self-compassion, mindfulness, compassion, life satisfaction, as well as greater reductions in depression, anxiety, stress, emotional avoidance.
- All well-being gains maintained for one year
- Degree of formal and informal self-compassion practice both related to gains in self-compassion
Highlights of the evidence
that self-compassion is positive for our health, relationship and stress hardiness include:
Self-compassion has been linked to Wellbeing
(Zessin, Dickhauser and Garbadee 2015)
- Reductions in: anxiety, depression, stress, rumination, perfectionism, body shame, fear of failure
- Increases in: life satisfaction, happiness, self-confidence, optimism, curiosity, creativity, gratitude
Greater self-compassion has been linked to Coping and Resilience
- More effective coping with academic failure, chronic pain, divorce (Sbarra 2012)
- Less likely to develop PTSD after combat trauma (Hiraoka 2015)
- Better coping with chronic health conditions (Sirois 2015)
Greater self-compassion has been shown to increase Other-Focused Concern
- Greater compassion, altruism and empathy for others (Neff and Pommier 2013)
- More forgiveness of others and perspective taking (Neff and Pommier 2013)
- More caring and supportive relationship behaviour (as rated by partners) (Neff and Beretvas 2013)
Caregivers with greater Self-Compassion experience:
- Less burnout and compassion fatigue (Raab 2014)
- More satisfaction with care-giving role (Bernard and Curry 2012)
- Increased wellbeing in parents of autistic children (Neff and Faso, 2014)
Greater Self-Compassion offers same benefits as Self-Esteem without the pitfalls
(Neff and Vonk 2009)
- Fewer social comparisons
- Less contingent self-worth
- No association with narcissism
Greater self-compassion has been shown to impact Motivation positively
- Increase in Intrinsic motivation, desire to learn and grow (Neff, Hseih and Dejitthirat 2005)
- Personal standards just as high, not as upset when don’t meet them (Neff 2003)
- Less fear of failure, more likely to try again and persist in efforts after failure (Breines and Chen 2012)
- Improved diet, exercise, quitting smoking, safe sex, doctor’s visits (Terry and Leary 2011)
Greater self-compassion has been shown to increase sense of Personal Accountability
- More conscientiousness (Neff Rude Kirkpatrick 2007)
- Taking greater responsibility for past mistakes (Leary 2007)
- Disposition to apologize (Howell et al 2011)