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Developing Self-Compassion in Healthcare Professionals Utilising a Brief Online Intervention: A Randomised Waitlist Control Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Amanda Super

    (Amanda Super Consulting Ltd., Manchester M25 9PH, UK)

  • Joanna Yarker

    (Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7JL, UK
    Affinity Health at Work, 104 Gaskarth Road, London SW12 9NW, UK)

  • Rachel Lewis

    (Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7JL, UK
    Affinity Health at Work, 104 Gaskarth Road, London SW12 9NW, UK)

  • Samuel Keightley

    (King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK)

  • Denvar Summers

    (School of Health & Psychological Sciences, City St. George’s, University of London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK)

  • Fehmidah Munir

    (Work and Health Research Centre, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Spinal Way, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

Abstract

(1) Background: The level of stress experienced by staff in the healthcare sector is highly prevalent and well documented. Self-compassion may support the health and wellbeing of individuals and enable them to stay well at work. This study aimed to understand whether a brief, online, self-guided, novel intervention improved the health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals. (2) Methods: In a parallel randomised controlled trial, a volunteer sample of healthcare professionals were assigned to an intervention group ( n = 110) or a waitlist control group ( n = 80). Measures of self-compassion, mental wellbeing, stress and burnout were collected by an online questionnaire at baseline, post-programme and, for the intervention group, at follow-up. (3) Results: This intervention appeared to be effective in increasing self-compassion and mental health and decreasing stress and burnout. Significant group effects and significant time × group interactions for overall self-compassion [F (2, 183) = 32.72, p < 0.001; effect size η p 2 = 0.226], mental wellbeing [F (2, 212) = 17.46, p < 0.001; effect size η p 2 = 0.135], perceived stress [F (2, 205) = 5.42, p = 0.006; effect size η p 2 = 0.46], personal burnout [F (2, 224) = 7.57, p = 0.001; effect size η p 2 = 0.063] and work burnout [F (2, 208) = 7.39, p = 0.001; effect size η p 2 = 0.062] were found. (4) Conclusions: This study shows promise that an affordable and scalable intervention can be effective for busy healthcare professionals operating in a significantly challenging environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanda Super & Joanna Yarker & Rachel Lewis & Samuel Keightley & Denvar Summers & Fehmidah Munir, 2024. "Developing Self-Compassion in Healthcare Professionals Utilising a Brief Online Intervention: A Randomised Waitlist Control Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(10), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:10:p:1346-:d:1496371
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hooria Jazaieri & Geshe Jinpa & Kelly McGonigal & Erika Rosenberg & Joel Finkelstein & Emiliana Simon-Thomas & Margaret Cullen & James Doty & James Gross & Philippe Goldin, 2013. "Enhancing Compassion: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Compassion Cultivation Training Program," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1113-1126, August.
    2. Mabel San Román-Niaves & Cristián Coo & Susana Llorens & Marisa Salanova, 2022. "The Mediating Role of Compassion between Social Job Resources, and Healthy Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study with Gender Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Annabel Rushforth & Mia Durk & Gabby A. A. Rothwell-Blake & Ann Kirkman & Fiona Ng & Yasuhiro Kotera, 2023. "Self-Compassion Interventions to Target Secondary Traumatic Stress in Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-14, June.
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