A randomized controlled trial examining the effects of self-compassion meditation on body image in women.

摘要

This study examined the outcome of a body image intervention using self-compassion meditation (podcasts) for adult women. Participants (N=228) were women ranging in age from 18 to 60 plus, recruited through the Internet, and randomly assigned to intervention (N=98) or wait-list control (N=130) groups. Following 3 weeks of self-compassion meditation training change scores and posttest scores for the Self-Compassion Scale, Contingent Self-Worth Scale for Appearance, Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, Body Appreciation Scale, and Body Shape Questionnaire were compared for statistical significance. Analysis of covariance demonstrated that the intervention group had improvements that were statistically significantly different from the control group for all five measures. Among the intervention group, change scores in self-compassion were associated with a decrease in contingent self-worth for appearance, body dissatisfaction, and objectified body consciousness and an increase in body appreciation. Further research investigating the use of self-compassion meditation as a treatment for body dissatisfaction is warranted.;KEY WORDS: BODY IMAGE, BODY DISSATISFACTION, BODY SATISFACTION, BODY IMAGE TREATMENTS, MEDITATION, MINDFULNESS, SELF-COMPASSION.