An investigation into the comparative effects of brief self-compassion and mindfulness meditation training on body image concerns in older adults

Abstract

The first chapter of this thesis is a literature review exploring the impact of brief selfcompassion interventions on self-compassion and the transdiagnostic processes of self-criticism, shame, and guilt. A multi-database search was conducted and a total of 24 experimental studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings of the literature search were compiled, summarised, and synthesised to create a narrative review. The overall pattern of results provides some indication that brief self-compassion interventions may offer a convenient and feasible therapeutic alternative and help to improve self-compassion, self-criticism, shame, and guilt in both clinical and non-clinical groups. However, the available evidence was limited and of low quality, and the discussion suggests that there is a need for more robustly designed empirical research on this topic.

The second chapter reports a randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of brief, self-guided self-compassion (SCM) or mindfulness meditation (MM) training on self-compassion, mindfulness, actual-ideal body image discrepancies, and body image satisfaction in older adults, and using a non-meditation control group as a comparison. It also examined the effect of the training on state body image satisfaction following a negative body image induction task. It was hypothesised that SCM would generate the most pronounced improvements in the body image variables and offer the greatest protection against the induction. 103 women and men aged ≥ 65 years were randomised into either the SCM, MM, or control groups, and practised a 10-minute audio-guided exercise regularly for 2 weeks. Results showed that the induction task did not achieve the desired reduction in state body image satisfaction at baseline, thus it was not possible to establish the effects of the experimental manipulations in mitigating the impact of the induction task following training. Furthermore, the manipulations did not have the predicted differential effects on the dependent variables. Clinical and theoretical implications and key avenues for future research are discussed.

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ORCID for Catherine Brignell: orcid.org/0000-0001-7768-6272

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