Abstract/Summary

Background: Caregiver burden can impact the mental health of family caregivers, but self-compassion may help reduce this impact. Brief self-compassion interventions have been shown to be useful but have not been tested in family caregivers of older adults. Objective: This study aimed to test the effects of a brief self-compassion intervention and its components (self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) on mental well-being and mood when reflecting on difficult family caregiving experiences. Methods: British caregivers were recruited through a web-based panel. Three experimental studies manipulated the self-compassion intervention. In study 1 (n=206) and study 2 (n=224), participants wrote about a difficult caregiving experience while focusing on 1 self-compassion component (self-kindness, common humanity, or mindfulness). In study 3 (n=222) participants focused on all components. Self-compassion, serenity, guilt, and sadness were measured. Results: In studies 1 and 2, condition effects showed mindfulness unexpectedly lowered mood. Inconsistent and modest benefits to affect were achieved by engagement in self-kindness and common humanity in study 1 (guilt [lowered]: P=.02 and sadness [lowered]: P=.04; serenity [nonsignificantly raised]: P=.20) and also in study 2 (sadness [nonsignificantly lowered]: P=.23 and guilt [nonsignificantly lowered]: P=.26; serenity [raised]: P=.33); significant benefits for self-compassion and mood were found in study 3 (serenity [raised]: P=.01, kindness [raised]: P=.003, and common humanity [raised]: P≤.001; guilt [lowered]: P<.001 and sadness [lowered]: P≤.001). More intensive efforts should be made to promote self-compassion in caregivers of older adults, with caution advised when relying primarily on mindfulness approaches. Conclusions: Self-compassionate writing may be beneficial for family caregivers, but more intensive interventions are needed. Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and content for achieving the greatest effects.