Effects of a Mindful Self-Compassion Intervention on Emotion Regulation in Psychiatric Rehabilitation: A Randomized...

Introduction: Emotion regulation (ER) is essential for psychological functioning and daily life. Deficits in ER are associated with various psychiatric disorders and are important targets for therapeutic interventions. Self-compassion, the practice of responding to one's own suffering with kindness, has been proposed to support adaptive ER. This study examined changes during a 6-week psychiatric inpatient rehabilitation program to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness- and self-compassion-based intervention on ER.

In a randomized controlled trial, 168 psychiatric inpatients were allocated to either a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) intervention group (n = 95) or an active control group receiving Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR; n = 73). Participants completed assessments at baseline and post-treatment, including the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). At post-treatment, the Reappraisal Inventiveness Test (RIT) was additionally administered. Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVAs and independent t tests.

Both MSC and PMR groups showed significant increases in self-compassion, positive affect, and self-reported cognitive reappraisal. No significant changes were observed in expressive suppression, and no between-group differences were found for reappraisal inventiveness as measured by the RIT.

Participation in either intervention was associated with enhanced use of cognitive reappraisal, suggesting that both MSC and PMR may foster adaptive ER in psychiatric rehabilitation. Further research is warranted to clarify the specific mechanisms and potential long-term benefits of mindful self-compassion interventions in clinical populations.