A Mixed Methods Study Evaluating the Impact The Self-Compassion App Has on Levels of Compassion Self Criticism and Wellbeing
There is increasing evidence that cultivating compassion for ourselves and others can have a profound impact on our bodies, psychological and social processes. In contrast, concerns with inferiority, shame and self-criticism can have a very negative impact on our physical and mental health (Irons & Beaumont, 2017).
The 28 day app includes exercises, meditations, quotes, a daily wisdom and practice, audios and prompts, all of which aim to help individuals develop compassion for themselves, experience compassion from others and be more compassionate to other people. The app is based on the bestselling book, The Compassionate Mind Workbook (Irons & Beaumont, 2017).
We are often our own harshest critic, talking to ourselves in ways that we would never do our family and friends. The aim of the project was to examine the impact The Self-Compassion App had on staff and students from The University of Salford.
Early results and impact:
The findings suggest that The Self-Compassion App boosted well-being, increased levels of self-compassion and reduced self-criticism.
Comments:
“Using the app made me see that sometimes I am quite mean on myself…cos you just do things and say things to yourself that you would never do or say to anyone else”.
“Being a friend to yourself… that was really useful…you know cos I’m not kind to myself”.
“I found it really did help with well-being…the breathing…the mindfulness… they really did help in terms of calming your mind down cos my mind never stops…it’s always on the go. You know like I just need to switch it off sometimes… it grounded me”.
“The app definitely, definitely helped me because my mind-set previously would have been…God, you are so stupid. How have you let that that happen? I would naturally have gone into a…I’m going to give myself a hard time about this and I found that I was just, just more compassionate to myself”.
“Using the app showed me that it’s important to take time to properly care for yourself, like I care for my friends or my family. That is something that I actually have to make time for, because it massively improves my mental health”.
Project Team
Dr Chris Irons
Dr Neil Dagnall
Professor Sue McAndrew
Research Group: Centre for Social and Health Research, Knowledge, Health and Place, Digital Health and Evidence Based Practice