Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Self-compassion in Health Care Professionals: a Meta-analysis

• Published in: Mindfulness Vol. 11; no. 8; pp. 1914 - 1934
• Main Authors: Wasson, Rachel S., Barratt, Clare, O’Brien, William H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Burnout; Child and School Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Emotions; Empathy; Fatigue; Medical personnel; Meditation; Mental health; Meta-analysis; Mindfulness; Original Paper; Patients; Pediatrics; Professionals; Psychology; Public Health; Quality of life; Self compassion; Skills; Social Sciences; Stress; United States > US; Treatment outcome; Self-compassion; Health care professionals; Mindfulness
• ISSN: 1868-8527; 1868-8535
• DOI: 10.1007/s12671-020-01342-5

Objectives Health care professionals have elevated rates of burnout and compassion fatigue which are correlated with poorer quality of life and patient care, and inversely correlated with self-compassion. Primary studies have evaluated the extent to which mindfulness-based interventions increase self-compassion with contradictory findings. A meta-analytic review of the literature was conducted to quantitatively synthesize the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on self-compassion among health care professionals. Methods Twenty-eight treatment outcome studies were identified eligible for inclusion. Five cumulative effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models to evaluate differences of changes in self-compassion for treatment and control groups. Within and between group comparisons were evaluated. Sub-group and moderator analyses were conducted to explore potential moderating variables. Results Twenty-seven articles ( k  = 29, N  = 1020) were utilized in the pre-post-treatment meta-analysis. Fifteen samples (52%) included health care professionals and fourteen (48%) professional health care students. Results showed a moderate effect size between pre-post-treatment comparisons ( g  = .61, 95% CI = .47 to .76) for self-compassion and a strong effect size for pre-treatment to follow-up ( g  = .76, 95% CI = .41 to 1.12). The effect size comparing post-treatment versus post-control was moderate. One exploratory moderator analysis was significant, with stronger effects for interventions with a retreat component. Conclusions Findings suggest mindfulness-based interventions improve self-compassion in health care professionals. Additionally, a variety of mindfulness-based programs may be useful for employees and trainees. Future studies with rigorous methodology evaluating effects on self-compassion and patient care from mindfulness-based interventions are warranted to extend findings and explore moderators.