"Evaluating the Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Training With Disabili" by Jessica M. Venegoni

Date of Graduation

Summer 2022

Degree

Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Jordan Belisle

Abstract

The current study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of self-compassion training with disability support staff concurrently completing their college education for career advancement. The intervention was guided by a combined Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Self-Compassion training framework. The ACT Matrix was utilized within the study prior to intervention to determine values within self-compassion and to identify three behaviors to target within the weekly self-compassion training, and daily behavior report (Polk and Schoendorf, 2014). During the intervention phase, daily reported self-compassion behaviors and weekly reported self-compassion scores were collected (Neff, 2003a; Belisle et al., 2022), as well as their perceived social validity, and daily engagement in self-identified self-compassion behaviors via ecological momentary assessments (EMA) were collected. Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and social validity scales were also utilized. We utilized a withdrawal single-subject research design to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. Results, for two of the four participants, demonstrated the percent exceeding the median (PEM) score exhibits a moderate effect size. Data suggests that there was a moderate change in self-compassion participation during training weeks, and participants positively reported the advantageous effects of training on both psychological and work well-being. The data does indicate, however, that as the demand for practicing self-compassionate behaviors increases when experiencing hardships, there may be a simultaneous increase in the movement away from the practice of behaviors due to possible psychological rigidity.

Keywords

self-compassion, behavior, mindfulness, disability, support, staff, training, well-being, ecological, momentary

Subject Categories

Applied Behavior Analysis | Disability Studies | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Other Psychology | Other Social and Behavioral Sciences

Copyright

© Jessica M. Venegoni

Open Access

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