TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhancing Compassion
T2 - A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Compassion Cultivation Training Program
AU - Jazaieri, Hooria
AU - Jinpa, Geshe Thupten
AU - McGonigal, Kelly
AU - Rosenberg, Erika L.
AU - Finkelstein, Joel
AU - Simon-Thomas, Emiliana
AU - Cullen, Margaret
AU - Doty, James R.
AU - Gross, James J.
AU - Goldin, Philip R
PY - 2013/8
Y1 - 2013/8
N2 - Psychosocial interventions often aim to alleviate negative emotional states. However, there is growing interest in cultivating positive emotional states and qualities. One particular target is compassion, but it is not yet clear whether compassion can be trained. A community sample of 100 adults were randomly assigned to a 9-week compassion cultivation training (CCT) program (n = 60) or a waitlist control condition (n = 40). Before and after this 9-week period, participants completed self-report inventories that measured compassion for others, receiving compassion from others, and self-compassion. Compared to the waitlist control condition, CCT resulted in significant improvements in all three domains of compassion-compassion for others, receiving compassion from others, and self-compassion. The amount of formal meditation practiced during CCT was associated with increased compassion for others. Specific domains of compassion can be intentionally cultivated in a training program. These findings may have important implications for mental health and well-being.
AB - Psychosocial interventions often aim to alleviate negative emotional states. However, there is growing interest in cultivating positive emotional states and qualities. One particular target is compassion, but it is not yet clear whether compassion can be trained. A community sample of 100 adults were randomly assigned to a 9-week compassion cultivation training (CCT) program (n = 60) or a waitlist control condition (n = 40). Before and after this 9-week period, participants completed self-report inventories that measured compassion for others, receiving compassion from others, and self-compassion. Compared to the waitlist control condition, CCT resulted in significant improvements in all three domains of compassion-compassion for others, receiving compassion from others, and self-compassion. The amount of formal meditation practiced during CCT was associated with increased compassion for others. Specific domains of compassion can be intentionally cultivated in a training program. These findings may have important implications for mental health and well-being.
KW - Compassion
KW - Meditation
KW - Self-compassion
KW - Training
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84883462470&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84883462470&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10902-012-9373-z
DO - 10.1007/s10902-012-9373-z
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84883462470
VL - 14
SP - 1113
EP - 1126
JO - Journal of Happiness Studies
JF - Journal of Happiness Studies
SN - 1389-4978
IS - 4
ER -