- By becoming compassionately aware of the other's pain without getting lost in it, its harmful effects are reduced. Moreover, the feelings of care and connection generated by compassion are positive and fulfilling rather than draining. Thus, though empathy for others' distress can be fatiguing, compassion is not, and can actually serve as a buffer against empathy fatigue 

Self-Compassion as an Antidote for Empathy Fatigue

Results in a Sample of Healthcare Workers Exposed to Mindful Self-Compassion Training

- Healthcare workers are at increased risk for experiencing empathy fatigue/empathic distress which refers to the emotional drain that results from empathizing with patients who are in severe psychological or physical pain

Pitzer College

- Healthcare workers
- Adolescents suffering from minority stress
- War veterans suffering from PTSD
- LGBTQ Individuals
- College Students

Populations that Benefit from Self-Compassion Interventions

- Empathy fatigue or empathic distress refers to the cognitive and physical consequences of consistently working with patients who are experiencing intense psychological and or physical trauma  
- Common in populations such as healthcare workers, therapists, counselors, first responders, hospice workers etc.

Empathy Fatigue or Empathic Distress

Neff, K. D., Knox, M. C., Long, P., & Gregory, K. (2020). Caring for others without losing yourself: An adaptation of the Mindful Self‐Compassion Program for Healthcare Communities. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(9), 1543–1562. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23007 

Self-Compassion Interventions for Healthcare Workers

Self-Compassion for Healthcare Workers

- Hypothesis which states that internalized stigma contributes to existing mental health disparities in marginalized communities

Minority Stress Hypothesis

- Approximately 23% of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans develop clinically significant levels of post traumatic stress disorder. Extensive literature documents a strong association between PTSD and functional impairment across multiple domains.


War Veterans Suffering from PTSD

LGBTQIA+ young adults are more likely to experience mental health difficulties and substance abuse. Preliminary findings suggest that LGBTQIA+ individuals with high self-esteem report more happiness, less self-stigma, and lower suicidality. 

Mindful Self-compassion program and its effects on LGBTQIA+ Individuals

Numerous studies have shown that using the program Self Compassion for Healthcare Communities not only increased long-term self-compassion and wellbeing amongst workers, but it also significantly reduced secondary traumatic stress and burnout that many of these workers experience.

 An Adaptation of the Mindful Self Compassion Program for Healthcare Communities

When implementing the 8- week intervention Making Friends With Yourself amongst a group of college students, researchers found that mindfulness and self compassion increased and perceived stress decreased greatly.

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