Effects of a Self-Compassion Break Induction on Self-Reported Stress, Self-Compassion, and Depressed Mood

The objective of the study was to determine whether practicing a self-compassion induction would reduce self-reported stress, depressed mood, and increase self-compassion in a randomized controlled study measuring variables of interest at two time points spanning three weeks.

Participants were 129 students (91 females and 38 males, M_age = 19.47, SD = 3.20) divided into three groups: Self-compassion Break, Time Management Control Group, and a No-Induction Control Group. Participants were part of the general student body and were not diagnosed or screened for clinical depression. Self-compassion, stress, and depressed mood were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Participants practiced their respective inductions over three weeks after being guided through their respective inductions at Time 1.

There were no significant differences between groups in outcome variables. Results of this study may indicate the importance of weekly group check-in meetings to facilitate positive change as findings in this study did not mirror those of similar studies using frequent meetings.