Self-Compassion in Depression: Associations With Depressive Symptoms, Rumination, and Avoidance in Depressed Outpatients

Krieger, Tobias; Altenstein, David; Baettig, Isabelle; Doerig, Nadja; Holtforth, Martin Grosse

doi:10.1016/j.beth.2013.04.004

Cited by 271 publications

(226 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…more self-compassion) are less likely to get entangled in ruminative thoughts related to the disappearance which, in turn, attenuates psychopathology levels. This accords with and extends previous research indicating that rumination mediates the linkage between self-compassion and depression and anxiety (Krieger et al, 2013; Raes, 2010). Although we did not test it directly, these findings also seem to support previous research denoting that self-compassion may be viewed as a way of exposure to internal threats (Krieger et al, 2013; Thompson & Waltz, 2008) and rumination as a way of avoidance of painful aspects of the loss (Eisma, Schut et al, 2014; Stroebe et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Previous studies also have shown that some types of rumination uniquely mediate the effect of self-compassion on depression and/or anxiety while others do not. For instance, Raes (2010) found that brooding but not reflection mediated the association between self-compassion and depression; Krieger et al (2013) found that symptom-focused rumination but not self-focused rumination mediated the linkage of self-compassion with depression. Taken together, our findings suggest once more that some forms of ruminative thinking are more maladaptive than others when it comes to dealing with the loss of a loved one (Eisma et al, 2015; Stroebe et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of course, many other factors may potentially be involved in the association between self-compassion and post-loss psychopathology (see for an overview Barnard & Curry, 2011). Following previous studies (see Krieger et al, 2013; Raes, 2010) we examined the mediating role of rumination in the association between self-compassion and psychopathology levels. However, we cannot preclude the possibility that self-compassion mediates the association between rumination and psychopathology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, cross-sectional studies have shown that people with higher levels of self-compassion are less inclined to ruminate (Neff, 2003; Svendsen, Kvernenes, Wiker, & Dundas, 2016). Two studies supported the mediating effect of rumination in the relation between self-compassion and depression and anxiety (Krieger, Altenstein, Baettig, Doerig, & Holtforth, 2013; Raes, 2010). …”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

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Grief rumination mediates the association between self-compassion and psychopathology in relatives of missing persons

Lenferink

Eisma

Keijser

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background: The disappearance of a loved one is a unique type of loss, also termed ‘ambiguous loss’, which may heighten the risk for developing prolonged grief (PG), depression, and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. Little is known about protective and risk factors for psychopathology among relatives of missing persons. A potential protective factor is self-compassion, referring to openness toward and acceptance of one’s own pain, failures, and inadequacies. One could reason that self-compassion is associated with lower levels of emotional distress following ambiguous loss, because it might serve as a buffer for getting entangled in ruminative thinking about the causes and consequences of the disappearance (‘grief rumination’). Objective: In a sample of relatives of missing persons we aimed to examine (1) the prediction that greater self-compassion is related to lower symptom-levels of PG, depression, and PTS and (2) to what extent these associations are mediated by grief rumination. Method: Dutch and Belgian relatives of long-term missing persons (N = 137) completed self-report measures tapping self-compassion, grief rumination, PG, depression, and PTS. Mediation analyses were conducted. Results: Self-compassion was significantly, negatively, and moderately associated with PG, depression, and PTS levels. Grief rumination significantly mediated the associations of higher levels of self-compassion with lower levels of PG (a*b = −0.11), depression (a*b = −0.07), and PTS (a*b = −0.11). Specifically, 50%, 32%, and 32% of the effect of self-compassion on PG, depression, and PTS levels, respectively, was accounted for by grief rumination. Conclusions: Findings suggest that people with more self-compassion experience less severe psychopathology, in part because these people are less strongly inclined to engage in ruminative thinking related to the disappearance. Strengthening a self-compassionate attitude using, for instance, mindfulness-based interventions may therefore be a useful intervention to reduce emotional distress associated with the disappearance of a loved one.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 96%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Grief rumination mediates the association between self-compassion and psychopathology in relatives of missing persons

Lenferink

Eisma

Keijser

et al. 2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…A proposed mechanism behind this association is that people who treat themselves in stressful situations with more self-compassion show more proactive and less avoiding coping strategies (Allen and Leary, 2010). In support of this notion, some studies showed that higher levels of self-compassion are associated with lower levels of pathological mental processes, such as rumination, worrying or avoidance behavior, which in turn predict weaker psychopathological symptoms (Krieger et al, 2013;Raes, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship of self-compassion and depression: Cross-lagged panel analyses in depressed patients after outpatient therapy

Krieger

Berger

Holtforth

2016

Journal of Affective Disorders

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107

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Effect of compassion‐focused group therapy on psychological symptoms in mothers of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder children: A pilot study

Navab

Dehghani

Salehi

2019

Couns and Psychother Res

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Background Evidence suggests that attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may accentuate varying psychological symptoms in parents. Since mothers are the most likely individuals interacting with ADHD children, it is highly probable that they will be influenced the most. Objectives This pilot study aimed to determine the effect of compassion‐focused group therapy on psychological symptoms of mothers of ADHD children. Methods A pre‐test–post‐test control‐grouped, quasi‐experimental study was carried out on a sample of 20 mothers of children with ADHD who were referred to the Health Centers of Isfahan City in Spring 2017. Prior to the intervention, the mothers’ psychological symptoms were recorded in both groups using the DASS‐21 questionnaire. Then, the mothers (n = 10) in the treatment group underwent 8 weekly sessions of 90‐min, compassion‐focused therapy. Both groups were post‐tested 1 week after the intervention. Finally, the collected data were analysed in SPSS‐23. Results The results of the study showed that, after the intervention, the mothers’ psychological symptoms in the treatment group significantly decreased (pre‐test: 36.10 ± 7.96 vs. post‐test: 33.40 ± 4.28, p value < 0.05), while no significant change was observed in the control group. Depression and anxiety levels showed a significant decrease in the treatment group as compared to the control group (p value < 0.05), while participants’ stress levels remained the same in both groups (p value > 0.05). Conclusion The findings revealed that compassion‐focused therapy resulted in an increase in self‐compassion and inner calmness levels, and a decrease in the use of avoidance coping strategy on the one hand, and the need to regulate emotions and ruminations on the other hand, among the mothers of ADHD children, which subsequently led to a decrease in psychological symptoms.

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Self-Compassion in Depression: Associations With Depressive Symptoms, Rumination, and Avoidance in Depressed Outpatients

Cited by 271 publications

References 60 publications

Grief rumination mediates the association between self-compassion and psychopathology in relatives of missing persons

Grief rumination mediates the association between self-compassion and psychopathology in relatives of missing persons

The relationship of self-compassion and depression: Cross-lagged panel analyses in depressed patients after outpatient therapy

Effect of compassion‐focused group therapy on psychological symptoms in mothers of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder children: A pilot study

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