An examination of the association between mindfulness and compassion for others in psychotherapists: A mediating role of self-compassion

IF 1.2 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2023-12-20 DOI:10.1002/capr.12735

John Lalor, Ali Khoshfetrat

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Mindfulness, self-compassion and compassion for others are often studied among clients seeking psychotherapy. Psychotherapists are also at risk of developing psychological difficulties given that the profession is demanding and can put psychological and emotional pressures on therapists. The aim of this study was to examine (a) the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and compassion for others and (b) whether self-compassion will mediate the effects of mindfulness on compassion for others.

Method

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among a sample of 152 psychotherapists registered with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy in Ireland.

Results

Our analysis found a significant relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion and compassion for others. Mediation analysis showed that the indirect effects of mindfulness on compassion for others was through self-compassion. We entered age and gender into our model, but they had no impact on the mediated relationship.

Conclusion

Findings from this study provide preliminary support for a proposed sequential model, suggesting that mindfulness enhances self-compassion, which, in turn, can improve compassion for others. Psychotherapists and psychotherapy bodies are recommended to utilise strategies that can improve psychotherapists' mindfulness skills, such as the mindfulness self-compassion programme and compassion-focussed therapy, and their capacity for self-compassion, which can contribute to their ability to develop compassion for the client. Given the limitations of the design of the study, future longitudinal research will enable us to document the directionality of the effects.

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研究心理治疗师的正念与对他人的同情之间的关系：自我同情的中介作用

寻求心理治疗的求助者通常会研究正念、自我同情和对他人的同情。心理治疗师的职业要求很高，会给治疗师带来心理和情感压力，因此他们也有可能出现心理问题。本研究旨在探讨（a）正念、自我同情和对他人的同情之间的关系，以及（b）自我同情是否会调节正念对对他人的同情的影响。这是一项横断面研究，研究对象是在爱尔兰咨询和心理治疗协会注册的 152 名心理治疗师。调解分析表明，正念对同情他人的间接影响是通过自我同情产生的。我们在模型中加入了年龄和性别，但它们对中介关系没有影响。这项研究的结果初步支持了所提出的顺序模型，即正念能增强自我同情，而自我同情又能增强对他人的同情。建议心理治疗师和心理治疗机构采用能够提高心理治疗师正念技能的策略，如正念自我同情项目和同情焦点疗法，以及他们的自我同情能力，这有助于提高他们对客户产生同情的能力。鉴于研究设计的局限性，未来的纵向研究将使我们能够记录研究效果的方向性。

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来源期刊

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice. The journal has its own website: www.cprjournal.com. The aim of this site is to further develop links between counselling and psychotherapy research and practice by offering accessible information about both the specific contents of each issue of CPR, as well as wider developments in counselling and psychotherapy research. The aims are to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.