Enhancing Compassion to Self and Others Through the Use of a Compassion Training Program in End-of-Life Research...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Occupational Health
• End-of-Life Care Research

Background:

• End-of-life HIV research presents significant emotional challenges for staff.
• Limited evidence exists for brief compassion training interventions to bolster resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and impact of a four-week compassion training program.
• To assess effects on self-compassion and professional well-being among research staff.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, single-group, repeated-measures pilot study.
• Utilized validated scales for self-compassion, compassion for others, professional quality of life, and work climate.
• Data collected at baseline, post-program, and 12-week follow-up.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements observed in over-identification (p = 0.002), workplace joy (p = 0.005), and supportive work environment (p = 0.003).
• Meditation frequency increased significantly post-program (p < 0.001) and remained elevated at follow-up (p = 0.006).

Conclusions:

• A brief compassion training program is feasible for staff in end-of-life research settings.
• The program demonstrated positive effects on over-identification and work climate measures.
• Further evaluation of compassion support training is warranted in palliative and end-of-life research.