A Pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindful Self‐Compassion Program

2012/10/15 by Kristin D. Neff, Christopher K. Germer · 2,224 citations
Health Professions · Medicine · Psychology · #Clinical psychology #Compassion #Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout #Intervention (counseling) #Medicine #Mindfulness #Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions #Psychiatry #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction #Psychology #Psychotherapist #Randomized controlled trial #Self-compassion

paper · doi:10.1002/jclp.21923

published in Journal of Clinical Psychology 69(1), 28-44 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2012/10/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of these two studies was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, an 8-week workshop designed to train people to be more self-compassionate. METHODS: Study 1 was a pilot study that examined change scores in self-compassion, mindfulness, and various wellbeing outcomes among community adults (N = 21; mean [M] age = 51.26, 95% female). Study 2 was a randomized controlled trial that compared a treatment group (N = 25; M age = 51.21; 78% female) with a waitlist control group (N = 27; M age = 49.11; 82% female). RESULTS: Study 1 found significant pre/post gains in self-compassion, mindfulness, and various wellbeing outcomes. Study 2 found that compared with the control group, intervention participants reported significantly larger increases in self-compassion, mindfulness, and wellbeing. Gains were maintained at 6-month and 1-year follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: The MSC program appears to be effective at enhancing self-compassion, mindfulness, and wellbeing.

Citations

• An Inventory for Measuring Depression
• Positive psychology: An introduction.

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