Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Related Interventions for Reducing Self-Criticism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Clin Psychol Psychother. 2021 Mar 22. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2586. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSelf-criticism is the process of negative self-evaluation. High levels are associated with psychopathology and poorer therapeutic outcomes. Self-compassion interventions were developed to explicitly target self-criticism. The aim of this review was to estimate the overall effect of self-compassion related interventions on self-criticism outcomes and investigate potential moderating variables. A systematic search of the literature identified 20 randomised controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. Nineteen papers, involving 1350 participants, had sufficient data to be included in the meta-analysis. Pre and post data points were extracted for the compassion and control groups. Study quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool which concluded that studies were of moderate quality. Meta-analysis findings indicated that self-compassion related interventions produce a significant, medium reduction in self-criticism in comparison to control groups (Hedges g= 0.51, 95% CI [0.33-0.69]). Moderator analysis found greater reductions in self-criticism when self-compassion related interventions were longer and compared to passive controls, rather than active. The remaining moderators of forms of self-criticism, sample type, intervention delivery, intervention setting and risk of bias ratings were insignificant. Overall, the review provides promi...
Source: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research