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
Recommended Citation
Venegoni, Jessica M., "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Training With Disability Support Staff" (2022). MSU Graduate Theses. 3780.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3780
Open Access
Included in
Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Disability Studies Commons, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
