The Effect of Positive Mindfulness Training Program on Self-Compassion of Male Adolescents with Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Depression is a common disorder in adolescence. One of the most common variables influencing depression is self-compassion. Considering the effectiveness of third wave therapy such as mindfulness and positive psychology in depression disorders, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of positive mindfulness training program on self-compassion of male adolescents with depressive symptoms. The study design was quasi-experimental with pre-test-post-test and follow-up and control group. From among the male students of secondary high schools of Isfahan in the academic year of 2017-2018, 40 cases were selected according to the inclusion criteria (using the Beck Depression Scale) and multistage cluster sampling. Then they were randomly placed in control and experimental groups. The experimental group received 8 sessions of 90 minutes based on positive mindfulness training program. All subjects were assessed through Self-Compassion Scale and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measure test. The results indicated the effectiveness of the positive mindfulness training program on the components of self-discipline, isolating and expanding in post-test and follow-up but it was only significant in the component of human commonality and mindfulness in the follow up. It was concluded that positive mindfulness training program increases self-compassion, /therefore it plays an important role in reducing the outcomes of depression disorder for adolescents and their families and can be used as a supportive program for these cales.

Keywords

• positive mindfulness
• self-compassion
• depression
• adolescence