A wait-list randomized controlled trial of loving-kindness meditation programme for self-criticism

Shahar, Ben; Szepsenwol, Ohad; Zilcha‐Mano, Sigal; Haim, Netalee; Zamir, Orly; Levi‐Yeshuvi, Simi; Levit‐Binnun, Nava

doi:10.1002/cpp.1893

Cited by 139Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

A wait-list randomized controlled trial of loving-kindness meditation programme for self-criticism

Shahar, Ben, Szepsenwol, Ohad, Zilcha‐Mano, Sigal, Haim, Netalee, Zamir, Orly, Levi‐Yeshuvi, Simi, Levit‐Binnun, Nava·2015·Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy

DOI 10.1002/cpp.1893

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Abstract

UNLABELLED: Self-criticism is a vulnerability risk factor for a number of psychological disorders, and it predicts poor response to psychological and pharmacological treatments. In the current study, we evaluated the efficacy of a loving-kindness meditation (LKM) programme designed to increase self-compassion in a sample of self-critical individuals. Thirty-eight individuals with high scores on the self-critical perfectionism subscale of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale were randomized to an LKM condition (n = 19) or a wait-list (WL) condition (n = 19). Measures of self-criticism, self-compassion and psychological distress were administered before and immediately following the intervention (LKM or WL). WL participants received the intervention immediately after the waiting period. Both groups were assessed 3 months post-intervention. Intent-to-treat (n = 38) and per-protocol analyses (n = 32) showed significant reductions in self-criticism and depressive symptoms as well as significant increases in self-compassion and positive emotions in the LKM condition compared with the WL condition. A follow-up per-protocol analysis in both groups together (n = 20) showed that these gains were maintained 3 months after the intervention. These preliminary results suggest that LKM may be efficacious in alleviating self-criticism, increasing self-compassion and improving depressive symptoms among self-critical individuals. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: Self-criticism plays a major role in many psychological disorders and predicts poor response to brief psychological and pharmacological treatments for depression. The current study shows that loving-kindness meditation, designed to foster self-compassion, is efficacious in helping self-critical individuals become less self-critical and more self-compassionate. The study also suggests that practising loving-kindness may reduce depressive symptoms and increase positive emotions.

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Self-transcendent emotions generated through loving kindness meditation have been shown to increase social connectedness and reduce self-criticism.
“Self-transcendent emotions generated through loving kindness meditation have also been shown to increase social connectedness (117, 118) and reduce self-criticism (119).”
From MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Alter Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurological Systems Underlying Social Dysfunction in Social Anxiety Disorder (2021) · cites this paper as [119]

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Rose, A., & Rimes, K. A. (2018) · Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1111/papt.12171 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Heart of Joy: a Randomized Controlled Trail Evaluating the Effect of an Appreciative Joy Meditation Training on Subjective Well-Being and Attitudes
Zeng, X., Wang, R., Oei, T. P. S., & Leung, F. Y. K. (2018) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-018-0992-2 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
The Relationship Between Self-criticism and Suicide Probability.
O'Neill, C., Pratt, D., Kilshaw, M., Ward, K., Kelly, J., & Haddock, G. (2021) · Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2593 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Processes of change in a school-based mindfulness programme: cognitive reactivity and self-coldness as mediators
der Gucht, K. V., Takano, K., Raes, F., & Kuppens, P. (2017) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2017.1310716 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“…is a vulnerable risk factor for a number of psychological disorders (e.g. depression, social anxiety, eating disorders and selfinjurious behaviours) and predicts poor responses to brief psychological and pharmacological treatments for depression (Shahar et al., 2015, and references in there).”
Background
Commentary Regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems
Kirby, J. N., & Gilbert, P. (2019) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-018-1088-8 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Happiness, love, and compassion as antidotes for anxiety
Demorest, A. (2020) · Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2019.1627399 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Behind women's body image-focused shame: Exploring the role of fears of compassion and self-criticism
Ferreira, C., Dias, B., & Oliveira, S. (2018) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2018.11.002 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“theoretical and empirical accounts and seem to support shame-selfcriticism vicious cycle (Gilbert, 2002; Shahar et al., 2015).”
Background
A Meta-analysis of Loving-Kindness Meditations on Self-Compassion
Reilly, E. B., & Stuyvenberg, C. L. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01972-x · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“, 2013), and one used a waitlist control design and combined 3-month follow-up data from the intervention group with post-intervention data from the waitlist group (Shahar et al., 2015).”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Effects of loving-kindness and compassion meditation on anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Zheng, Y., Yan, L., Chen, Y., Zhang, X., Sun, W., Lv, J., Zhou, J., Gu, X., Zhao, X., Luo, W., et al. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02121-8 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
New Developments in Emotion-Focused Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder
Shahar, B. (2020) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm9092918 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“Patients might internalize the validating and compassionate attitude of their therapist and thus might treat themselves with more self-compassion, which is the primary antidote for self-criticism [82].”
Background
A Trauma-Adapted Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness Intervention for Patients with PTSD After Interpersonal Violence: a Multiple-Baseline Study
Müller-Engelmann, M., Schreiber, C., Kümmerle, S., Heidenreich, T., Stangier, U., & Steil, R. (2018) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-018-1068-z · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The effects of loving-kindness interventions on positive and negative mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Petrovic, J., Mettler, J., Cho, S., & Heath, N. L. (2024) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102433 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Loving-Kindness Meditation and Compassion Meditation: Do They Affect Emotions in a Different Way?
Евгеньевна, С. У., & Щебетенко, С. (2020) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01465-9 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Meanwhile, LKM was effective in treating chronic pain (Carson et al. 2005) and self-criticism (Shahar et al. 2015).”
Background
Potential processes of change in MDMA‐Assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder: Enhanced memory reconsolidation, self‐transcendence, and therapeutic relationships
Luoma, J. B., Shahar, B., Lear, M. K., Pilecki, B. C., & Wagner, A. (2021) · Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental · doi:10.1002/hup.2824 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Mindfulness, Spirituality and Subjective Well-Being of Flight Attendants
Liu, C., Chen, H., Liu, C.-Y., Lin, R.-T., & Chiou, W. (2020) · Interacción · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-49913-6_13 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
The interventional effects of loving-kindness meditation on positive emotions and interpersonal interactions
Shi, W., He, X., Han, X., Wang, N., Zhang, N., & Wang, X. (2015) · Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment · doi:10.2147/ndt.s79607 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Does Loving-Kindness Meditation Reduce Anxiety? Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Weibel, D. T., McClintock, A. S., & Anderson, T. (2016) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0630-9 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“…discovered that an eight-session compassion intervention outperformed waitlist in reducing anxiety among healthy (non-clinical) participants, whereas Shahar et al. (2014) found that a seven-session LKM intervention did not outperform waitlist in reducing anxiety among self-critical participants.”
BackgroundResultInfluential
A Randomized Micro-trial of a Loving-Kindness Meditation to Help Parents Respond to Difficult Child Behavior Vignettes
Kirby, J. N., & Baldwin, S. (2017) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-017-0989-9 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Compassion-Focused Intervention for Highly Self-Critical Individuals: Pilot Study
Rose, A., McIntyre, R., & Rimes, K. A. (2018) · Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1017/s135246581800036x · Cited by 53 · see citing works
The effects of forest bathing on self-criticism, self-compassion, and self-protection: A systematic review
Szitás, D., Halamová, J., Ottingerová, L., & Schroevers, M. J. (2024) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102372 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Understanding Engagement in and Affective Experiences During Physical Activity: The Role of Meditation Interventions
Don, B. P., Cappellen, P. V., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2021) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000909 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“At the heart of loving-kindness meditation is compassion: participants are trained to focus warm and compassionate feelings toward themselves and others (19).”
Background
A Randomized Micro-Trial of a Loving-Kindness Meditation for Young Adults Living at Home with their Parents
Kirby, J. N., & Laczko, D. (2017) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-017-0692-x · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Exploring Associations Between Self-Compassion, Self-Criticism, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis: Informing Future Interventions
Kauser, S., Keyte, R., Regan, A., Nash, E. F., Fitch, G., Mantzios, M., & Egan, H. H. (2021) · Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings · doi:10.1007/s10880-021-09831-y · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“Previous literature demonstrated that self-compassion and mindfulness-based interventions are beneficial in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, decreasing selfcriticism and improving quality of life (Chiesa & Serretti, 2009; Evans et al., 2008; Godfrin & Van Heeringen, 2010; Segal et al., 2002; Shahar e…”
Background
The Impact of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Compassion Fatigue of Nurses Working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Asadollah, F., Nikfarid, L., Sabery, M., Varzeshnejad, M., & Hashemi, F. (2023) · Holistic Nursing Practice · doi:10.1097/hnp.0000000000000590 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“Based on the scores, the amount of compassion fatigue is determined as very low (35-63), low (64-92), medium (121-93), high (150-122), and very high (175-151).”
Background
In Eating‐Disordered Inpatient Adolescents, Self‐Criticism Predicts Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury
Itzhaky, L., Shahar, G., Stein, D. J., & Fennig, S. (2015) · Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior · doi:10.1111/sltb.12223 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Training in Mindfulness or Loving-kindness Meditation Is Associated with Lower Variability in Social Connectedness Across Time
Don, B. P., Cappellen, P. V., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01856-0 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“However, loving-kindness meditation has been shown to enhance (a) average levels of affect and (b) the emotional regulation skills (e.g., self-compassion; Shahar et al., 2015; Germer & Neff, 2013) needed to reduce affective variability.”
Background
Effects of brief mindful breathing and loving-kindness meditation on shame and social problem solving abilities among individuals with high borderline personality traits
Keng, S., & Tan, J. X. (2017) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2017.07.004 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Of relevance to the present study, repeated sessions of LKM have been found to result in reductions in negative self-attitudes and depressive symptoms, as well as improvements in self-compassion among people with high levels of self-criticism (Shahar et al., 2015).”
Background
Increasing Self-Compassion: Review of the Literature and Recommendations
Stutts, L. A. (2022) · Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education · doi:10.59390/wszk3327 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“In addition to MBSR and MBCL, loving kindness meditation is another intervention that can be used to increase self-compassion (Shahar et al., 2015; Mantzios et al., 2021).”
Background
Does an emotion‐focused two‐chair dialogue add to the therapeutic effect of the empathic attunement to affect?
Stiegler, J. R., Molde, H., & Schanche, E. (2017) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2144 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Self-criticism and attachment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Rogier, G., Muzi, S., Morganti, W., & Pace, C. S. (2023) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2023.112359 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Development and validation of the (inner) Strength-Based Inventory
Wongpakaran, N., Wongpakaran, T., & Kuntawong, P. (2020) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2020.1744310 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Loving-kindness language exposure leads to changes in sensitivity to imagined pain
Williams, P. B., Poljacik, G., Decety, J., & Nusbaum, H. C. (2017) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2017.1315648 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“…(Lutz, Brefczynski-Lewis, Johnstone, & Davidson, 2008), behavioral measures of prosociality (Condon, Desbordes, Miller, & DeSteno, 2013; Leiberg, Klimecki, & Singer, 2011) as well as in decreased intensity of personal feelings of distress among self-critical individuals (Shahar et al., 2015).”
Background
Assessing self-criticism and self-reassurance: Examining psychometric properties and clinical usefulness of the Short-Form of the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS-SF) in Spanish sample
Navarrete, J., Herrero, R., Soler, J., Domínguez-Clavé, E., Baños, R., & Cebolla, A. (2021) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252089 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“As well, the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC; [83]) and Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM; [37]) programs teach people to be kinder and more compassionate toward themselves through meditation.”
Background
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Potential Synergies
Chambers, R., Stoliker, D., & Simonsson, O. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02206-4 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Consistent practice has been shown to lead to increased connection with self (Hutcherson et al., 2008) by counteracting mental habits such as aversion (Salzberg, 2011) and self-criticism (Feliu-Soler et al., 2017; Shahar et al., 2015).”
Meditation Quality Matters: Effects of Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditations on Subjective Well-being are Associated with Meditation Quality
Zeng, X., Zheng, Y., Gu, X., Wang, R., & Oei, T. P. S. (2022) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-022-00582-7 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Spirituality and Meditative Practice: Research Opportunities and Challenges
Kristeller, J. L., & Jordan, K. D. (2017) · Psychological Studies · doi:10.1007/s12646-017-0391-0 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self‐criticism and self‐reassurance in individuals with recurrent depression: Effects of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy and relationship to relapse
Schanche, E., Vøllestad, J., Visted, E., Svendsen, J. L., Binder, P., Osnes, B., Franer, P., & Sørensen, L. (2021) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.12381 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
MDMA-Assisted Therapy as a Means to Alter Affective, Cognitive, Behavioral, and Neurological Systems Underlying Social Dysfunction in Social Anxiety Disorder
Luoma, J., & Lear, M. K. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.733893 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Self-transcendent emotions generated through loving kindness meditation have also been shown to increase social connectedness (117, 118) and reduce self-criticism (119).”
Background
Self-compassion among psychotherapy clients is in the details of negative, not positive, emotions
Galili‐Weinstock, L., Lazarus, G., Atzil–Slonim, D., Bar‐Kalifa, E., Rafaeli, E., & Peri, T. (2019) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2019.1627396 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Evaluation of Self-Compassion Focused Group Treatment for Co-Occurring PTSD and Substance Use in Veterans with Posttraumatic Guilt: A Case Study
Eaton, E. M., Capone, C., Shea, M. T., & Cameron, A. (2020) · International Journal of Group Psychotherapy · doi:10.1080/00207284.2020.1805617 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Mindfulness, Self-distancing, and Self-compassion as Buffers of the Effects of Rumination on Health Behaviors: a Daily Diary Study
Riley, K. E., Park, C. L., Wong, C. C. Y., & Russell, B. S. (2022) · International Journal of Cognitive Therapy · doi:10.1007/s41811-022-00142-0 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“They also emphasized the importance of the inclusion of loving-kindness meditation, which cultivates selfcompassion (Shahar et al., 2015).”
Background
Effect of Parenting Style, attachment to parents and self-compassion on the occurrence and recovery motivation for non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents
Liu, P., Liu, J., Li, Y., & Lu, J. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1408396 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Academic Stress: What Is the Problem and What Can Educators and Parents Do to Help?
Maykel, C., deLeyer-Tiarks, J. M., & Bray, M. A. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-13-0077-6_2 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Exploring the potential contributions of mindfulness and compassion-based practices for enhancing the teaching of undergraduate ethics courses in philosophy
Paulson, J., & Kretz, L. (2018) · The Social Science Journal · doi:10.1016/j.soscij.2017.12.003 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Shahar et al. (2015) found that articipants practicing LKM over the course of seven weeks emonstrated decreases in measures of self-criticism and ymptoms of depression while increasing ratings of selfompassion over a waitlist control group, and that these ains were maintained at three months.”
Background
Differences in Guided Imagery between High and Low Self-Critical Participants: Consensual Qualitative Research Analysis
Halamová, J., Koróniová, J., & Baránková, M. (2019) · The Qualitative Report · doi:10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3891 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy on self-criticism of the women applying for divorce
Shavandi, H., & Veshki, S. K. (2021) · Journal of Education and Health Promotion · doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_495_20 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“[7] Self‐criticism is a process of self‐assessment where the people judge themselves hard.[8] Self‐criticism is followed by low self‐esteem[9] and negative feelings,[10] and it approaches self‐criticism perfectionism.”
Background
Managing Mental Health in Pandemic COVID-19 and Movement Control Order
Khaiyom, J. H. A. (2020) · Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences · doi:10.21315/mjms2020.27.4.14 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Theory Paper: Suggesting Compassion-Based Approaches for Treating Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Rushforth, A., Kotera, Y., & Kaluževičiūtė, G. (2022) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-022-00856-4 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Of the remaining three studies, all found significant improvements in depressive symptoms (Neff & Germer, 2013; Lee & Bang, 2010; Shahar et al., 2015).”
The Double Mediating Effect of Family Support and Family Relationship Satisfaction on Self-Compassion and Meaning in Life among Korean Baby Boomers
Jeong, Y., & Lee, Y. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19169806 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Self-criticism is a negative and harsh self-assessment process [31], in which repeated self-criticism makes an individual feel inadequate and progressively increases an adversarial and harsh manner toward oneself, which can worsen pathologically [32,33].”
Background
Is Self-Criticism Uniquely Associated with Health Anxiety among Jewish and Arab Israeli Young Adults?
Akariya, O., Anholt, G. E., & Shahar, G. (2021) · International Journal of Cognitive Therapy · doi:10.1007/s41811-021-00121-x · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Positive Psychology and Buddhism
Segall, S. Z., & Kristeller, J. L. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-10274-5_14 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Xanthoerythrodermia perstans and alopecia mucinosa in a patient with CD-30 cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Alagheband, M., Cairns, M. L., & Chuang, T. (1997) · PubMed · Cited by 6 · see citing works
The effects of a combination of cognitive interventions and loving-kindness meditations (C-METTA) on guilt, shame and PTSD symptoms: results from a pilot randomized controlled trial
Müller‐Engelmann, M., Bahnemann, L., & Kümmerle, S. (2024) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2024.2308439 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“This idea is supported by empirical research demonstrating that practicing LKM can reduce self-criticism (Shahar et al., 2015), which is a key feature of guilt and shame.”
Method
Examining the relationship between endometriosis and psychological distress: roles of cultural background, body image and self-criticism in women's health
Geller, S., Levy, S., & Avitsur, R. (2025) · Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1080/21642850.2025.2511980 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Self-criticism, marked by harsh self-judgment and punitive internal dialogue (Blatt & Zuroff, 1992), involves negative self-evaluation across traits, appearance, and performance (Shahar et al., 2015).”
The effectiveness of second-generation mindfulness interventions on anxiety and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Xu, L., Goldberg, S. B., Zhang, L., & Hu, C. (2026) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2026.102693 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
The Effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy on Resilience, Shame, Internal Self-criticism, and Quality of Life of Patients with Vitiligo
Fatollahzadeh, S., Kianimoghadam, A. S., Bahri, R., Khesali, M., Aghaei, Z. S. P. S., & Arani, A. M. (2023) · Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.5812/ijpbs-137483 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“loving-kindness meditation as fostering self-compassion method can reduce self-criticism (56).”
The mind’s abyss: Exploring the adverse effects of distinct forms of meditation
Szaszkó, B., & Tran, U. S. (2025) · Academia Mental Health and Well-Being · doi:10.20935/mhealthwellb7666 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Is there a place in politics for compassion? The role of compassion in predicting hierarchy-legitimizing views
Sinclair, V. M., & Saklofske, D. H. (2018) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298868.2018.1468354 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Compassion training or meditation techniques, such as loving-kindness meditation (Shahar et al., 2015), could be investigated as a possible method for attenuating beliefs about group dominance by expanding the definition of in-group and enhancing other-focused concern.”
Method
The Impact of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Job-Related Burnout of Nurses Working in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Asadollah, F., Nikfarid, L., Nourian, M., & Hashemi, F. (2024) · Holistic Nursing Practice · doi:10.1097/hnp.0000000000000657 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-criticism predicts antidepressant effects of intermittent theta-burst stimulation in Major Depressive Disorder
Jomha, A., Sohn, M. N., Watson, M., Kopala‐Sibley, D. C., & McGirr, A. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.12.006 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Effect of Mindful Lovingkindness-Compassion Program(MLCP) on Depression, Rumination, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Social Connectedness, in Depression-Prone students
정혜경, cho-hyun-ju, & 노승혜 (2017) · Korean Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.17315/kjhp.2017.22.2.003 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
A compassionate pause
Links, M. J., Ayling, T., Doran, J., Braganza, S., Martin, P., Clayton, J. M., & Hiremagalur, B. (2020) · Patient Education and Counseling · doi:10.1016/j.pec.2020.08.012 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Qualitative Analysis of Chair Tasks in Emotion-Focused Therapy Video Sessions
Bailey, G., Halamová, J., & Gablíková, M. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191912942 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Consensual Qualitative Analysis of Self-Criticizing Using the Two-Chair Technique
Halamová, J., Dvoranová, A., Zlúkyová, S., & Vráblová, V. (2021) · The Qualitative Report · doi:10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4750 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“These results correspond to those obtained by Shahar et al. (2015), who perceive self-criticism as a process of self-assessment in which people negatively assess various aspects of themselves, such as their personality traits, appearance, and performance.”
Result
Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Portuguese Version of the Body and Appearance Self-Conscious Emotions Scale (BASES)
Marques, C., Macedo, A., Castilho, P., Goss, K., Castelo-Branco, M. S., & Pereira, A. T. (2024) · European Journal of Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1027/1015-5759/a000816 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Metacognitive Awareness as the Predictor of Positive Self-Critical Rumination, Personal Best Goals (PBs), and Language Achievement
Ghanizadeh, A., Mirzaee, S., & Yousefzadeh, T. (2024) · Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1007/s10942-024-00548-z · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Self-Criticism: Conceptualization, Assessment and Interventions
Pekin, Z., & Güme, S. (2024) · Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar · doi:10.18863/pgy.1455185 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“These improvements were sustained three months post-intervention (Shahar et al. 2015b).”
Background
Interpersonal Aspects of Mindfulness and Concentrative Meditations
Agrawal, J., & Sahota, P. B. K. (2021) · Advances in psychology, mental health, and behavioral studies (APMHBS) book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-8682-2.ch015 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Affiliative stimuli elicit negative emotion and expressive suppression in high self-critics: A study using video stimuli
Tittler, M. V., Chwyl, C., Lear, M. K., & Luoma, J. B. (2023) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-023-10005-6 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Repeated exposure to controlled contexts meant to elicit positive emotions in response to affiliative cues, such as through compassion-focused or loving-kindness meditations (Shahar et al., 2014), may also dampen HSCs’ negative reaction and enhance positive reactions to this type of stimuli.”
Background
A synthesis of RCTs on psychological interventions fostering strengths and virtues: Evidence from 21 systematic reviews
Cebolla, A., Navarro-Siurana, J., Galante, J., Sarrión, P., Vidal, J., Fernández-Castilla, B., Lecuona, Ó., Vázquez, C., & Baños, R. M. (2025) · Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.70069 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
The Link Between External and Internal Body-Image Shame and Binge Eating in Men and Women: The Mediating Role of Self-criticism
Kaleji, Z. S., Poursharifi, H., Dolatshahi, B., & Momeni, F. (2021) · Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.5812/ijpbs.114288 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
L’auto-compassion, trait de personnalité ou processus de pensée ?
Rengade, C.-É., & Hautekeete, M. (2014) · Journal de Thérapie Comportementale et Cognitive · doi:10.1016/j.jtcc.2014.10.001 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Clinical Implication of Meditation in Psychiatry : Focused on Mindfulness Meditation
Huh, H. J., Han, S., Park, Y. N., & Chae, J. (2015) · 신경정신의학 · doi:10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.4.406 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Lovingkindness Meditation in Psychology
Williams-Orlando, C. (2016) · Alternative and Complementary Therapies · doi:10.1089/act.2016.29056.cwo · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Meditation and Mindfulness
Smith, H., & Thorkelson, G. (2015) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/b19089-26 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
203 QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SELF-COMPASSION, SELFPROTECTION, AND SELF-CRITICISM IN EMOTIONFOCUSED THERAPY VIDEO SESSIONS
Bailey, G., Halamová, J., & Baránková, M. (2020) · Psihoterapija · doi:10.24869/psihei.2020.203 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
SPORCU DURUMLUK ÖZ ELEŞTİRİ ÖLÇEĞİ’NİN TÜRKÇEYE UYARLANMASI: GEÇERLİK VE GÜVENİRLİK ÇALIŞMASI
Tıngaz, E. O. (2021) · Ankara Üniversitesi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Yüksekokulu SPORMETRE Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi · doi:10.33689/spormetre.937941 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
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“seem to be of stable nature with gains maintained for 3 months (Shahar et al., 2015) and even up to 1-year follow-up (Totzeck et al.”
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Authors: Shahar, B., Szepsenwol, O., Zilcha‐Mano, S., Haim, N., Zamir, O., Levi‐Yeshuvi, S., & Levit‐Binnun, N.
Affiliations: Reichman University (IL)
Corresponding author: Shahar, Ben
ORCID: Shahar, Ben
Szepsenwol, Ohad
Zilcha‐Mano, Sigal
Levit‐Binnun, Nava
Venue: Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2014-03-16
Volume: 22
Issue: 4
Pages: 346-356
ISSN: 1063-3995 (ISSN-L)
1099-0879
DOI: 10.1002/cpp.1893
OpenAlex: W1935560701
Cited by: 139
References: 60
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 2
FWCI: 10.65
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords: loving-kindness meditation, self-criticism, self-compassion, self-critical perfectionism, depressive symptoms, positive emotions, psychological distress, meditation intervention, treatment efficacy
MeSH terms: Adult, Empathy, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Love, Male, Self-Assessment, Waiting Lists, Program Evaluation, Meditation

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A wait-list randomized controlled trial of loving-kindness meditation programme for self-criticism

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