Self-Compassion, Depression and Anxiety in a Cancer Population: A Systematic Review Does Self-Compassion Facilitate Disengagement from Unachievable Goals?

Abstract

Literature Review Objectives: Individuals with a cancer diagnosis can experience many difficulties, including anxiety and depression. One construct found to be related to anxiety and depression is self-compassion. This review aimed to examine studies that explored these relationships in adults who have received a cancer diagnosis. Methods: A literature search was conducted using five databases. Studies that had examined adults who had received any cancer diagnosis and any form of treatment were included. Results: Ten studies were found that met the inclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis of these studies provided support for the existence of inverse relationships between self-compassion and both anxiety and depression (effects ranging from small-large). Conclusion: Overall, the strength and direction of the cross-sectional relationships between self-compassion and depression/anxiety in this population appeared to be in line with those reported in other populations (Macbeth & Gumley, 2012). Knowledge of these relationships may allow earlier detection of anxiety and depression in this population. Further experimental and longitudinal research is needed to establish causality. Different factors may mediate (e.g., illness perceptions) and moderate (e.g., lymphedema status) these relationships. Further exploration is required of any cognitive factors or cancer characteristics that could play an influential role, to enable the appropriate design and administration of interventions. Empirical Paper The ability to disengage from goals that can no longer be achieved is suggested to form an important part of self-regulation (Wrosch et al. 2003b). This study aimed to experimentally examine the influence of one potential facilitator of goal disengagement (GD): self-compassion. It was hypothesised that participants who had completed a self-compassion induction (loving-kindness meditation for self) would be less likely to non-optimally persist on both solvable and unsolvable anagrams, compared to a control group. 119 students completed the study using an online methodology. Results showed no differences between conditions on either task performance (number of correct anagrams) or non optimal persistence on solvable or unsolvable anagrams. Thus, self compassion was not found to have a facilitative effect on optimal GD. To produce more ecologically valid results, future longitudinal and experimental research should examine the role of self-compassion in optimal disengagement (both behavioral and cognitive) from more ‘everyday’ goals, using more extensive self-compassion interventions and more clinically relevant samples.