Effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training in the outskirts: A mixed study

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) among people in situations of social vulnerability. Method: a mixed, sequential and transformative study with the same QUAL→QUAN weight. Focus Groups were applied at the beginning (n=24) and three months (n=11) after CBCT®, to understand the participants’ knowledge about emotions, (self)care and stress situations. Content analysis was performed in the WebQDA software. The participants (n=65) were randomized into control (n=31) and intervention (n=34) to assess self-compassion, perceived stress, and positive and negative affects at three time moments. The mixed factorial ANOVA analysis considered within-participants (time) and between-participants (place and group) factors. Results: mean age (37), female gender (88%), single (51%) and black-skinned people (77%). The following thematic categories emerged before the course: “Reducing others’ suffering as a bridge to conscious self-care” and “Social vulnerability as a potentiator of low emotional literacy”. Subsequently, self-compassion and awareness of the mental states for social activism. The quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in self-compassion within-participants (p=0.003); group factor (p<0.001); perceived stress reduction (p=0.013); negative affects group factor (p=0.005); and increase in positive affects (p<0.001) within-participants. Conclusion: CBCT® exerted a positive effect on individual well-being and a positive impact on community engagement to promote social well-being in the outskirts. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-3w744z.) in April 2019.