An exploration of self-compassion within healthcare professionals

Henshall, Lauren Elizabeth

Abstract

This portfolio thesis comprises of three parts: a systematic literature review, an empirical report and supporting appendices.

Part one is a systematic literature review in which empirical papers investigating the effectiveness of interventions for cultivating self-compassion in healthcare professionals are reviewed. A systematic database search identified fifteen studies to be reviewed. A narrative synthesis of the findings pertaining to effectiveness is provided alongside a review of the methodological quality of the research in this area. The clinical implications for healthcare services and directions for future research are also discussed.

Part two is an empirical paper combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies to explore compassion amongst healthcare professionals. The quantitative component sought to investigate whether the presence of occupational stressors and threats impacts on healthcare professionals’ ability to give compassion to others at work, and whether self-compassion and organisational compassion may moderate this relationship. In addition, thematic analysis was employed to investigate the most prominent troubles that healthcare professionals experience in relation to their work. The findings are discussed in relation to theory and implications for clinical practice and future research.

Part three comprises the appendices supporting the systematic literature review and the empirical paper, but also includes a reflective statement focussing on the research process.

Citation

Henshall, L. E. (2015). An exploration of self-compassion within healthcare professionals. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4217310

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 11, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Clinical psychology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4217310
• Additional Information: Department of Psychological Health and Wellbeing, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Jun 1, 2015