Healing in Your Own Words; Self-Compassionate Writing for Post-Traumatic Growth
Harding, M
Date: 21 June 2024
Thesis or dissertation
Publisher
University of Exeter
Degree Title
Doctorate of Clinical Psychology
Abstract
In the context of the UK National Health System (NHS) experiencing high demand for mental health support with limited-resources, alongside many individuals experiencing trauma-related distress, there is a growing need for improved trauma-informed care. Post Traumatic Growth (PTG), a positive psychological change following trauma-related ...
In the context of the UK National Health System (NHS) experiencing high demand for mental health support with limited-resources, alongside many individuals experiencing trauma-related distress, there is a growing need for improved trauma-informed care. Post Traumatic Growth (PTG), a positive psychological change following trauma-related struggle, presents a hopeful opportunity for positive change following trauma, associated with adaptive coping, resilience, and recovery. Individually, expressive writing (EW) and
higher levels of self-compassion (SC) have been associated with higher PTG levels, related to the promotion of adaptive cognitive processing. This study
aimed to approach PTG-facilitation for individuals suffering from trauma-related distress in an innovative way by combining core elements of SC into an EW intervention. Effects of a novel, four-week, SC-focused EW intervention on selfreported Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) levels, self-compassion (SC) and Post Traumatic Growth (PTSD) symptomology were investigated via a multiple baseline single case experimental design (MB-SCED). Eight female participants (age M=33.6, range=22-46) experiencing ongoing trauma-related distress completed the study. Results reflected an overall insignificant, small effect size of the intervention on self-reported PTG and SC scores, which are discussed considering study limitations. This study contributes to and calls for more research in the growing body of literature around PTG-facilitation techniques for trauma survivors.
Doctoral Theses
Doctoral College
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