The development of compassionate engagement and action scales for self and others

Abstract

Background: Studies of the value of compassion on physical and mental health and social relationships have proliferated in the last 25 years. Although, there are several conceptualisations and measures of compassion, this study develops three new measures of compassion competencies derived from an evolutionary, motivational approach. The scales assess 1. the compassion we experience for others, 2. the compassion we experience from others, and 3. self-compassion based on a standard definition of compassion as a 'sensitivity to suffering in self and others with a commitment to try to alleviate and prevent it'. We explored these in relationship to other compassion scales, self-criticism, depression, anxiety, stress and well-being. Methods: Participants from three different countries (UK, Portugal and USA) completed a range of scales including compassion for others, self-compassion, self-criticism, shame, depression, anxiety and stress with the newly developed 'The Compassionate Engagement and Actions' scale.

Shame and the vulnerable self in medical contexts: the compassionate solution

“…Indeed, our data suggest that compassion for others and for self are only moderately to weakly related 54. Doctors may be incredibly concerned for their patients but also be perfectionistic self-critics who suffer anxiety and depression as a result.…”

Dispositional mindfulness, self‐compassion, and compassion from others as moderators between stress and depression in caregivers of patients with lung cancer

“…The 13‐item Self‐Compassion Scale consists of an engagement subscale assessing the individual's ability of being sensitive to, and engaging with, their own distress/suffering and an actions subscale assessing the individual's ability to be motivated to alleviate and prevent distress. Each item is rated on a 10‐point Likert scale ranging from 1 (never) to 10 (always).…”

“…The 13‐item Compassion from Others Scale consists of an engagement subscale, assessing an ability to be aware of other people's motivations to be compassionate, and an actions subscale, assessing the individual's sensitivity to other people's action his or her suffering. Total scores for the two subscales indicate higher levels of compassion from others.…”

“…In the emotional regulation model of Gilbert et al, self‐compassion refers to an individual with the motivation and competency to actively engage with and alleviate suffering. Compassion from others refers to an ability to detect and respond positively to other's help . Because of the increases of stress from caregiving demands, family caregivers are likely to experience compassion fatigue .…”

What place does compassion hold in the conduct and production of health services research?

“…This is said to have facilitated nurturing and caregiving; as humans became able to appreciate how others might be feeling and why, it motivated them to notice and try to alleviate or prevent distress or discomfort [1]. This evolved ability to connect with others has been associated with reproduction and survival of offspring [2]. In that sense, compassion emphasises the interactive nature of being, and the interdependence and vulnerability of humans.…”