Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Social Work
Degree Name
Master of Science
Abstract
This study aims to explore how the effectiveness of self-compassion interventions can reduce symptoms of trauma and stress-related disorders. Self-compassion can be an essential part of treatment for trauma and stress-related disorders. Self-compassion consists of three components: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Self-compassion also relies on an individual to use emotional intelligence (e.g., emotional processing theory, meaning-making theory, polyvagal theory) to aid with increasing the level of self-awareness and appraising traumatic memories. For example, identifying post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms using self-compassion can promote emotional regulation, enabling awareness and acceptance of negative emotions caused by trauma. In addition, self-compassion can help individuals become aware of what triggers they experience caused by an interpersonal traumatic event. Experiencing traumatic events includes emotions of fear, shame, guilt, rumination, anxiety, depression, isolation, and disassociation. Self-compassion alleviates those negative emotions and self-critical thoughts using mindfulness-based interventions (e.g., yoga, meditation, breathwork, and emotional processing) to reestablish boundaries, trust, and a sense of safety.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Wilkins, Kayla, "A Systematic Review of Studies of Self-Compassion Interventions for Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders" (2023). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 607.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/607