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A Review of Self-Compassion as an Active Ingredient in the Prevention and Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Young People
Open accessAbstract
Previous meta-analyses have found higher self-compassion is associated with lower anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of self-compassion as an active ingredient in the treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression in youth. This was conducted through (i) a systematic review of the literature and (ii) qualitative consultation with young people and researchers in self-compassion. Fifty studies met our inclusion criteria. Eight studies evaluated self-compassion interventions among youth aged 14-24, and the remaining studies measured the association between self-compassion and anxiety, and/or depression among this age group. Qualitative interviews were conducted with four self-compassion researchers. Interviews were also conducted in two rounds of consultation with 20 young people (M age = 18.85 years, age range 14-24 years). Higher self-compassion was related to lower symptoms of anxiety, r = - 0.49, 95% CI (- 0.57, - 0.42), and depression, r = - 0.50, 95% CI (- 0.53, - 0.47). There was evidence for self-compassion interventions in decreasing anxiety and depression in young people. Consultation with young people indicated they were interested in self-compassion interventions; however, treatment should be available in a range of formats and tailored to address diversity. Self-compassion experts emphasised the importance of decreasing self-criticism as a reason why self-compassion interventions work. The importance of targeting self-criticism is supported by the preferences of young people who said they would be more likely to engage in a treatment reducing self-criticism than increasing self-kindness. Future research is required to add to the emerging evidence for self-compassion interventions decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression in young people.
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“Review evidence has shown a significant and negative association between self-compassion and a range of mental health symptoms, including depression [44], anxiety [44], and stress [45].”
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“Review evidence has shown a significant and negative association between self-compassion and a range of mental health symptoms, including depression [44], anxiety [44], and stress [45].”
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Citations
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Metadata
- Authors
- Egan, S. J., Rees, C. S., Delalande, J., Greene, D., Fitzallen, G., Brown, S., Webb, M., & Finlay-Jones, A.
- Affiliations
- Curtin University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Egan, Sarah J.
- Venue
- Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
- Published
- 2021-09-24
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 385-403
- ISSN
- 0894-587X (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3289
- PMC
- PMC9005396
- OpenAlex
- W3201325896
- Cited by
- 140
- References
- 65
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 26
- FWCI
- 2.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
- Keywords
- self-compassion, anxiety, depression, youth, self-compassion interventions, prevention, self-criticism, self-kindness, treatment engagement
- MeSH terms
- Self-Compassion, Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Humans, Self-Assessment, Young Adult
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