The influence of self-compassion on perceived responsibility and shame following acquired brain injury

Ambridge, Jade; Fleming, Peter; Henshall, Lauren

Abstract

Primary objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of perceived personal responsibility for an acquired ABI (ABI) on shame, and whether self-compassion moderates this relationship. We hypothesized that people who perceived themselves to be responsible for their injury would have high levels of shame and poorer recovery outcomes.
Research design: A mixed-methods design was employed using both standardized measures and a series of open questions.
Methods and procedures: 66 participants with ABI were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, multiple regression, and thematic analysis.
Main outcomes and results: Significant relationships were found between self-compassion, shame, anxiety, and depression, but perceived responsibility for ABI was not correlated with any examined variables. Due to issues with the measurement of responsibility, it was not possible to complete all proposed forms of analysis. The thematic analysis revealed the ways participants’ injuries affected their perceived level of functioning, its consequences for sense of self, shame, and self-compassion.
Conclusions: This study concluded that people with ABI might experience shame with respect to the injury’s impact on functioning. Study limitations and implications for providing therapeutic interventions such as Compassion Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are discussed.

Citation

Ambridge, J., Fleming, P., & Henshall, L. (2020). The influence of self-compassion on perceived responsibility and shame following acquired brain injury. Brain Injury, 34(7), 945-957. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2020.1763466

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 16, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jun 5, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 6, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 6, 2021
• Journal: Brain Injury
• Print ISSN: 0269-9052
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 945-957
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2020.1763466
• Keywords: Acquired ABI; Third-wave; Self-compassion; Responsibility; Shame
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3519566
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02699052.2020.1763466?journalCode=ibij20