Self‐criticism is the process of negative self‐evaluation. High levels are associated with psychopathology and poorer therapeutic outcomes. Self‐compassion interventions were developed to explicitly target self‐criticism. The aim of this review was to estimate the overall effect of self‐compassion‐related interventions on self‐criticism outcomes and investigate potential moderating variables. A systematic search of the literature identified 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that met the inclusion criteria. Nineteen papers, involving 1350 participants, had sufficient data to be included in the meta‐analysis. Pre‐ and post‐data points were extracted for the compassion and control groups. Study quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool, which concluded that studies were of moderate quality. Meta‐analysis findings indicated that self‐compassion‐related interventions produce a significant, medium reduction in self‐criticism in comparison with control groups (Hedges' g = 0.51, 95% CI [0.33–0.69]). Moderator analysis found greater reductions in self‐criticism when self‐compassion‐related interventions were longer and compared with passive controls rather than active. The remaining moderators of forms of self‐criticism, sample type, intervention delivery, intervention setting and risk of bias ratings were insignificant. Overall, the review provides promising evidence of the effectiveness of self‐compassion‐related interventions for reducing self‐criticism. However, results are limited by moderate quality studies with high heterogeneity. Directions for future research indicate that more RCTs with active controls, follow‐ups, consistent use and reporting of measures and diverse samples are needed.

Background: Veterinarians report high levels of psychological distress and self-criticism. However, there is minimal research investigating psychological interventions for veterinarians. Evidence suggests that compassion-focused therapy is effective at reducing distress in those with high self-criticism. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a 2-week online compassionate imagery intervention for veterinarians. Methods: A one-group repeated measures design was used with 128 veterinarians. Participants completed measures of perfectionism, self-criticism, self-reassurance and fears of compassion four times, at 2-week intervals (at baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention and 2-week follow-up). Participants answered written questions about their intervention experience post-intervention. Results: Content analysis of the qualitative data found the intervention to be acceptable and beneficial to participants. Overall, study attrition was 50.8%, which is reasonable for a low-cost intervention. Minimal differences were found between participants who dropped out compared to those who completed the intervention. Perfectionism, work-related rumination and self-criticism were significantly reduced post-intervention, and these effects were maintained at follow-up. Resilience and self-reassurance remained unchanged. Fears of compassion reduced over the baseline period and pre-post intervention, questioning the validity of the measure. Conclusion: Overall, in the context COVID-19, the intervention showed impressive feasibility and preliminary effectiveness. Randomised control trials are recommended as the next step for research to establish the intervention's effectiveness.

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