Publication Date
2019
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Orcutt, Holly K.
Degree Name
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)
Legacy Department
Department of Psychology
Abstract
Research suggests that abilities to moderate and process trauma-related emotions may predict symptoms of posttraumatic stress, with the overuse of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies presenting a potential vulnerability to experiencing difficulties following trauma exposure. Self-compassion has been associated with the acceptance of negative emotions, with research finding evidence for positive associations between self-compassion and adaptive emotion regulation. Additionally, research suggests an inverse relationship between self-compassion and symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Self-compassion has been conceptualized and studied as a skill that can be learned, with studies finding support for improved abilities following targeted interventions. However, more research is needed to establish the effectiveness of interventions that can be delivered in a brief format, and to determine whether increases in self-compassion lead to improvements in emotion regulation in individuals with exposure to trauma.
This study utilized an experimental design to examine whether a single session of self-compassion training was effective for improving self-compassion and decreasing difficulties in emotion regulation, compared to muscle-relaxation training, for undergraduates with trauma exposure (N = 85; 63.1% female) enrolled in an introduction to psychology course. Analyses included a series of within- and between- subjects repeated measures ANCOVAs in order to examine group differences in self-compassion and difficulties with emotion regulation. Additionally, a serial mediation model was used to examine changes in self-compassion and emotion regulation as mediators in the relationship between group and changes in negative affect. Results demonstrated associations among study variables in the expected directions but did not support study hypotheses regarding the experimental interventions. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Himmerich, Sara Jean, "Examining the Utility of a Brief Self-Compassion intervention for Emotion Regulation in individuals with Exposure to Trauma" (2019). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7115.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7115
Extent
123 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
