The study was published in PLOS ONEon September 19, 2024.

A research study titled "Feasibility, acceptability, and depression outcomes of a randomized controlled trial of Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens (MSC-T) for adolescents with subsyndromal depression." Conducted by Karen Bluth, Christine Lathren, Jinyoung Park, Chanee Lynch, John Curry, April Harris-Britt, and Susan Gaylord, this research explores the potential benefits of MSC-T in reducing depressive symptoms among adolescents.

How do people behave when disasters strike? Popular media accounts depict panic and cruelty, but in fact individuals often cooperate with and care for one another during crises. I summarize evidence for such 'catastrophe compassion', discuss its roots, and consider how it might be cultivated in more mundane times.

Full Research Article Here

The psychological impact of a traumatic event includes potentially both negative (e.g., PTSD, depression, and anxiety) as well as positive (e.g., post-traumatic growth) outcomes. The construct of self-compassion—the capacity to be compassionate towards oneself—has been associated with various psychological benefits following disasters; however, the association between
self-compassion and PTG have not yet been examined in natural disaster settings. This study aimed to examine the relationship between these constructs, with self-compassion as a potential mediator
in this relationship. Three hundred and nine undergraduate students affected by the impact of Hurricane Harvey were recruited. Statistical analyses revealed a significant mediation effect, with PTSD symptoms being both directly and indirectly (via self-compassion) associated with PTG. The
capacity to grow from traumatic experiences is mediated by one’s disposition to be compassionate towards oneself, serving as a resilience factor to provide individuals with the cognitive and emotional resources to grow after trauma. These findings have significant implications in both clinical and research contexts, including the use of self-compassion interventions to protect against PTSD and other co-morbid psychopathology and also act as a catalyst for growth following natural disaster events.

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Every year, natural and human-made disasters occur around the world bringing chaos and destruction to unsuspecting populations. Disaster responders, both trained professionals and volunteers, rally from around the world to provide care, help, and support to survivors of these catastrophes. Responders operate often in tragic circumstances and are exposed to various stressors. Despite a large body of literature on self-care and growing research on self-compassion and their respective effects on resilience (Friborg et al., 2006; Germer & Neff, 2013; Leary, Tate, Adams, Allen, & Hancock, 2007; Roysircar, 2008) there exists no measure that assesses first responders’ self-care, self-compassion, resilience, and their disaster response competencies. In addition, little is known about protective factors that prevent vicarious traumatization. In response to this need to assess the mental well-being of first responders, the study investigated how self-care and self-compassion contributed to the resilience of responders in disaster settings. In addition, the study investigated how protective and risk factors predicted responders’ disaster response competencies as well as resilience. Archival data were analyzed for the study. The use of the pilot measure, Disaster Response Competencies Questionnaire (DRCQ, Roysircar, 2010) provided the data. Participants were disaster responders (N = 77) between ages 22–74, who responded online to the measure. The purpose of the DRCQ was to screen responders and to do pre–post evaluation as related to their response service. The basic psychometric properties of the DRCQ were good to excellent with regard to the internal consistency reliabilities of six scales and their respective facets. There were strong positive Pearson r correlations among self-care, self-compassion, and resilience, while self-compassion had a strong negative Pearson r correlation with vicarious traumatization. Protective factors were also strong predictors of resilience and disaster response competencies. No gender difference was found in self-compassion. The study’s results, limitations, and implications for future research are discussed.

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