Making Friends with Yourself: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study of a Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Adolescents.
Mindfulness
Short Title:
Mindfulness
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
Nov 30, 2014
Sources ID:
26086
Collection:
Mindfulness in K-12 Education
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
The aims of this mixed-method pilot study were to determine the feasibility, acceptability, andpreliminary psychosocial outcomes of “Making Friends with Yourself: A Mindful Self
compassion Program for Teens” (MFY), an adaptation of the adult Mindful Self-compassion
program. Thirty-four students age 14–17 were enrolled in this waitlist-controlled crossover
study. Participants were randomized to either the waitlist or intervention group and administered
online surveys at baseline, after the first cohort participated in the intervention, and after the
waitlist crossovers participated in the intervention. Attendance and retention data were collected
to determine feasibility, and audio recordings of the 6-week class were analyzed to determine
acceptability of the program. Findings indicated that MFY is a feasible and acceptable program
for adolescents. Compared with the waitlist control, the intervention group had significantly
greater self-compassion and life satisfaction and significantly lower depression than the waitlist
control, with trends for greater mindfulness, greater social connectedness, and lower anxiety.
When waitlist crossover results were combined with that of the first intervention group, findings
indicated significantly greater mindfulness and self-compassion, and significantly less anxiety,
depression, perceived stress, and negative affect post-intervention. Additionally, regression
results demonstrated that self-compassion and mindfulness predicted decreases in anxiety,
depression, perceived stress, and increases in life satisfaction post-intervention. MFY shows
promise as a program to increase psychosocial well-being in adolescents through increasing
mindfulness and self-compassion. Further testing is needed to substantiate the findings.