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Cited by 21Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsForgiveness and Related BehaviorsPsychotherapy Techniques and Applications

Self‐forgiveness, self‐compassion and psychological health: A qualitative exploration of change during compassion focused therapy groups

Maynard, Peter G., van Kessel, Kirsten, Feather, Jacqueline S.·2023·Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
DOI 10.1111/papt.12435
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Abstract

Purpose Little research exists into the relationships between self-forgiveness, self-compassion, affect and psychological health, and are only just beginning to be explored within the self-compassion and the Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) literature. Methods This qualitative study (n = 31) utilised Thematic Analysis (TA) to understand participants' experiences of participating in a 12-week compassion-focused therapy group. Results Thematic analysis yielded two major themes: 'becoming self-compassionate and self-forgiving', and 'the CFT group was beneficial'. The first major theme reflected participants' growing familiarity, awareness and insight into their inhibitions to and the benefits of self-compassion and self-forgiveness, their capacities for self-condemnation, becoming appropriately responsible for their thoughts and actions, and the links between self-compassion and the process of self-forgiveness. The second major theme reflected participants' impressions that taking part in the CFT group and developing CFT skills had facilitated personal change through taking compassionate ownership for their thoughts and feelings about themselves and their mistakes, rather than condemning themselves and others. Participants reported that these changes helped to regulate their negative affect through the development of more compassionate and balanced thinking about their mistakes, leading to improvements in psychological health. Conclusions The findings of this study provide expla…

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  • Qualitative studies have provided rich, contextualised accounts of shifts in self-relating, including the development of a more compassionate inner dialogue and increased capacity to respond to distress with warmth and understanding.

    “Findings have provided rich, contextualised accounts of shifts in self- relating, including the development of a more compassionate inner dialogue and increased capacity to respond to distress with warmth and understanding (Gilbert etal.2022; Maynard et al. 2022; Brun et al. 2023).”

    From A Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Compassionate Mind Training Group Intervention for Adults in a Primary Mental Health Service. (2026) · cites this paper as Maynard et al. 2022

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Authors
Maynard, P. G., van Kessel, K., & Feather, J. S.
Affiliations
  • NHS Highland (GB)
  • Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences Auckland University of Technology Auckland New Zealand
  • Auckland University of Technology (NZ)
ORCID
Venue
Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2022-11-12
Volume
96
Issue
2
Pages
265-280
ISSN
  • 1476-0835 (ISSN-L)
  • 2044-8341
DOI
10.1111/papt.12435
OpenAlex
W4308840622
Cited by
21
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 2
FWCI
3.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Forgiveness and Related Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Keywords
self-forgiveness, self-compassion, compassion-focused therapy, group therapy, mental health, emotion regulation, self-blame, personal transformation, change processes, negative affect
MeSH terms
Self-Compassion, Emotions, Empathy, Humans, Focus Groups, Qualitative Research

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