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The boundary between mindfulness and forest bathing, two conceptually related therapies, is unclear. Accordingly, this study reports the strengths and challenges, similarities and differences, and barriers and facilitators for both. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven trained and experienced practitioners of both mindfulness and forest bathing. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four main themes: (i) differences between the approaches; (ii) the benefits of forest bathing; (iii) biophilia through forest bathing; and (iv) inward versus outward attentional focus as a distinction between the approaches. Both practices were found to benefit well-being, but practitioners revealed key barriers to mindfulness. For vulnerable groups experiencing mental health challenges or difficulties achieving a meditative state, mindfulness may introduce well-being risks. By offering a gentler, more intuitive approach that encourages outward attentional focus, forest bathing was found to overcome this barrier. Forest bathing is suitable for all groups, but adaptations are recommended for those expressing fear or discomfort in forested environments. The findings inform how to position both approaches in practice, as a first step towards social prescribing recommendations. Wider implications concern forest bathing’s potential to impact environmental well-being. Future research must garner comparative data, involve young people, and explore the feasibility of a forest bathing social prescription.
Fiona Clarke; Yasuhiro Kotera; Kirsten McEwan. A Qualitative Study Comparing Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): Practitioners’ Perspectives. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6761 .
AMA StyleFiona Clarke, Yasuhiro Kotera, Kirsten McEwan. A Qualitative Study Comparing Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): Practitioners’ Perspectives. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (12):6761.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFiona Clarke; Yasuhiro Kotera; Kirsten McEwan. 2021. "A Qualitative Study Comparing Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): Practitioners’ Perspectives." Sustainability 13, no. 12: 6761.
Background The COVID‐19 pandemic is a massive global health crisis with damaging consequences to mental health and social relationships. Exploring factors that may heighten or buffer the risk of mental health problems in this context is thus critical. Whilst compassion may be a protective factor, in contrast fears of compassion increase vulnerability to psychosocial distress and may amplify the impact of the pandemic on mental health. This study explores the magnifying effects of fears of compassion on the impact of perceived threat of COVID‐19 on depression, anxiety and stress, and social safeness. Methods Adult participants from the general population (N = 4057) were recruited across 21 countries worldwide, and completed self‐report measures of perceived threat of COVID‐19, fears of compassion (for self, from others, for others), depression, anxiety, stress and social safeness. Results Perceived threat of COVID‐19 predicted increased depression, anxiety and stress. The three flows of fears of compassion predicted higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress and lower social safeness. All fears of compassion moderated (heightened) the impact of perceived threat of COVID‐19 on psychological distress. Only fears of compassion from others moderated the effects of likelihood of contracting COVID‐19 on social safeness. These effects were consistent across all countries. Conclusions Fears of compassion have a universal magnifying effect on the damaging impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health and social safeness. Compassion focused interventions and communications could be implemented to reduce resistances to compassion and promote mental wellbeing during and following the pandemic.
Marcela Matos; Kirsten McEwan; Martin Kanovský; Júlia Halamová; Stanley R. Steindl; Nuno Ferreira; Mariana Linharelhos; Daniel Rijo; Kenichi Asano; Sónia Gregório; Margarita G. Márquez; Sara P. Vilas; Gonzalo Brito‐Pons; Paola Lucena‐Santos; Margareth Da Silva Oliveira; Erika Leonardo de Souza; Lorena Llobenes; Natali Gumiy; Maria Ileana Costa; Noor Habib; Reham Hakem; Hussain Khrad; Ahmad Alzahrani; Simone Cheli; Nicola Petrocchi; Elli Tholouli; Philia Issari; Gregoris Simos; Vibeke Lunding‐Gregersen; Ask Elklit; Russell Kolts; Allison C. Kelly; Catherine Bortolon; Pascal Delamillieure; Marine Paucsik; Julia E. Wahl; Mariusz Zieba; Mateusz Zatorski; Tomasz Komendziński; Shuge Zhang; Jaskaran Basran; Antonios Kagialis; James Kirby; Paul Gilbert. Fears of compassion magnify the harmful effects of threat of COVID‐19 on mental health and social safeness across 21 countries. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleMarcela Matos, Kirsten McEwan, Martin Kanovský, Júlia Halamová, Stanley R. Steindl, Nuno Ferreira, Mariana Linharelhos, Daniel Rijo, Kenichi Asano, Sónia Gregório, Margarita G. Márquez, Sara P. Vilas, Gonzalo Brito‐Pons, Paola Lucena‐Santos, Margareth Da Silva Oliveira, Erika Leonardo de Souza, Lorena Llobenes, Natali Gumiy, Maria Ileana Costa, Noor Habib, Reham Hakem, Hussain Khrad, Ahmad Alzahrani, Simone Cheli, Nicola Petrocchi, Elli Tholouli, Philia Issari, Gregoris Simos, Vibeke Lunding‐Gregersen, Ask Elklit, Russell Kolts, Allison C. Kelly, Catherine Bortolon, Pascal Delamillieure, Marine Paucsik, Julia E. Wahl, Mariusz Zieba, Mateusz Zatorski, Tomasz Komendziński, Shuge Zhang, Jaskaran Basran, Antonios Kagialis, James Kirby, Paul Gilbert. Fears of compassion magnify the harmful effects of threat of COVID‐19 on mental health and social safeness across 21 countries. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarcela Matos; Kirsten McEwan; Martin Kanovský; Júlia Halamová; Stanley R. Steindl; Nuno Ferreira; Mariana Linharelhos; Daniel Rijo; Kenichi Asano; Sónia Gregório; Margarita G. Márquez; Sara P. Vilas; Gonzalo Brito‐Pons; Paola Lucena‐Santos; Margareth Da Silva Oliveira; Erika Leonardo de Souza; Lorena Llobenes; Natali Gumiy; Maria Ileana Costa; Noor Habib; Reham Hakem; Hussain Khrad; Ahmad Alzahrani; Simone Cheli; Nicola Petrocchi; Elli Tholouli; Philia Issari; Gregoris Simos; Vibeke Lunding‐Gregersen; Ask Elklit; Russell Kolts; Allison C. Kelly; Catherine Bortolon; Pascal Delamillieure; Marine Paucsik; Julia E. Wahl; Mariusz Zieba; Mateusz Zatorski; Tomasz Komendziński; Shuge Zhang; Jaskaran Basran; Antonios Kagialis; James Kirby; Paul Gilbert. 2021. "Fears of compassion magnify the harmful effects of threat of COVID‐19 on mental health and social safeness across 21 countries." Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy , no. : 1.
Background The evidence-base for whole school approaches aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing remains limited. This may be due to a focus on developing and evaluating de-novo, research-led interventions, while neglecting the potential of local, contextually-relevant innovation that has demonstrated acceptability and feasibility. This study reports a novel approach to modelling and refining the programme theory of a whole-school restorative approach, alongside plans to scale up through a national educational infrastructure in order to support robust scientific evaluation. Methods A pragmatic formative process evaluation was conducted of a routinized whole-school restorative approach aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing in Wales. Results The study reports the six phases of the pragmatic formative process evaluation. These are: 1) identification of innovative local practice; 2) scoping review of evidence-base to identify potential programme theory; outcomes; and contextual characteristics that influence implementation; 3) establishment of a Transdisciplinary Action Research (TDAR) group; 4) co-production and confirmation of an initial programme theory with stakeholders; 5) planning to optimise intervention delivery in local contexts; and 6) planning for feasibility and outcome evaluation. The phases of this model may be iterative and not necessarily sequential. Conclusions Formative, pragmatic process evaluations can support researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in developing robust scientific evidence-bases for acceptable and feasible local innovations that do not already have a clear evidence base. The case of a whole-school restorative approach provides a case example of how such an evaluation may be undertaken.
Nina Gobat; Hannah Littlecott; Andy Williams; Kirsten McEwan; Helen Stanton; Michael Robling; Stephen Rollnick; Simon Murphy; Rhiannon Evans. Developing a whole-school mental health and wellbeing intervention through pragmatic formative process evaluation: a case-study of innovative local practice within The School Health Research network. BMC Public Health 2021, 21, 1 -16.
AMA StyleNina Gobat, Hannah Littlecott, Andy Williams, Kirsten McEwan, Helen Stanton, Michael Robling, Stephen Rollnick, Simon Murphy, Rhiannon Evans. Developing a whole-school mental health and wellbeing intervention through pragmatic formative process evaluation: a case-study of innovative local practice within The School Health Research network. BMC Public Health. 2021; 21 (1):1-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNina Gobat; Hannah Littlecott; Andy Williams; Kirsten McEwan; Helen Stanton; Michael Robling; Stephen Rollnick; Simon Murphy; Rhiannon Evans. 2021. "Developing a whole-school mental health and wellbeing intervention through pragmatic formative process evaluation: a case-study of innovative local practice within The School Health Research network." BMC Public Health 21, no. 1: 1-16.
Aside from practical interventions such as providing green infrastructure to improve air quality or water contamination and reduce flooding, well-being interventions to increase engagement with the natural environment are one of the fastest growing ways of improving human and environmental health. This feasibility study assessed a novel smartphone app for well-being intervention. Over 30 days the app prompted adults, including those seeking help for a common mental health problem, to notice the good things about urban green or built spaces (control condition). Self-referral was successful with 885 people downloading the app, 435 supplying baseline data and 50 supplying post-intervention data. However, the low number of observations (M = 6 per participant) indicates that 30 days is too long to remain engaged. There were significant improvements in well-being and nature connection, but no difference between green and built space conditions. Limitations, future recommendations regarding improving engagement and marketing to lower socio-economic status groups are discussed.
Kirsten McEwan; Miles Richardson; David Sheffield; Fiona J. Ferguson; Paul Brindley. Assessing the feasibility of public engagement in a smartphone app to improve well-being through nature connection (Evaluación de la factibilidad de la implicación ciudadana mediante una app de teléfonos inteligentes para mejorar el bienestar a través de la conexión con la naturaleza). PsyEcology 2021, 12, 45 -75.
AMA StyleKirsten McEwan, Miles Richardson, David Sheffield, Fiona J. Ferguson, Paul Brindley. Assessing the feasibility of public engagement in a smartphone app to improve well-being through nature connection (Evaluación de la factibilidad de la implicación ciudadana mediante una app de teléfonos inteligentes para mejorar el bienestar a través de la conexión con la naturaleza). PsyEcology. 2021; 12 (1):45-75.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsten McEwan; Miles Richardson; David Sheffield; Fiona J. Ferguson; Paul Brindley. 2021. "Assessing the feasibility of public engagement in a smartphone app to improve well-being through nature connection (Evaluación de la factibilidad de la implicación ciudadana mediante una app de teléfonos inteligentes para mejorar el bienestar a través de la conexión con la naturaleza)." PsyEcology 12, no. 1: 45-75.
Introduction Compassionate care involves providing a welcoming environment, promoting bidirectional compassion, providing training in compassion and creating supportive organisations. To date there has not been a study evaluating Compassion interventions for the high‐threat profession of mental health nursing. Neither has there been a study providing an in‐depth qualitative evaluation of training and implementation. The current study aims to address these gaps in the literature. Aim The aims were to evaluate Compassionate Mind Training‐CMT for mental health nurses and to assess implementation. Method Focus groups were conducted (N=28) one year later to evaluate CMT and implementation. Results: Content analysis revealed four training themes: i) Useful framework; ii) Thought‐provoking and exciting; iii) Appreciation of person‐centred approach; iv) Need for ongoing training and supervision. Three implementation themes emerged: i) Applied approach with patients and staff themselves; ii) Environmental challenges to implementation; iii) Attitudinal challenges to implementation. Discussion Consistent with previous studies, professionals experienced reduced self‐criticism and an increased self‐compassion, which extended to increased compassion and reduced criticism of colleagues and patients; and professionals applying training directly to reduce patient self‐criticism. Implications For successful implementation formal adoption of Compassion‐approaches are needed with strategic integration at all levels.
Kirsten McEwan; Lina Minou; Hamish Moore; Paul Gilbert. Engaging with distress: Training in the compassionate approach. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2020, 27, 718 -727.
AMA StyleKirsten McEwan, Lina Minou, Hamish Moore, Paul Gilbert. Engaging with distress: Training in the compassionate approach. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 2020; 27 (6):718-727.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsten McEwan; Lina Minou; Hamish Moore; Paul Gilbert. 2020. "Engaging with distress: Training in the compassionate approach." Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 27, no. 6: 718-727.
Green interventions which connect people with nature to improve wellbeing are increasingly being applied to tackle the current crisis in mental health. A novel Smartphone app intervention was evaluated amongst adults (n = 228) including (n = 53) adults with common mental health problems, with the aim to improve wellbeing through noticing the good things about urban nature. The app prompted participants once a day over 7 days to write notes about the good things they noticed in urban green spaces. Notes were thematically analysed and ten themes emerged. The three themes with the greatest representation were: i) wonder at encountering wildlife in day-to-day urban settings; ii) appreciation of street trees; and iii) awe at colourful, expansive, dramatic skies and views. Through combining the above themes with the pathways to nature connectedness this paper provides an extended framework of activities to inform activity programming, nature engagement media content, and ‘green health’ interventions. Moreover, the findings have strong implications for optimising city planning, design and management for the wellbeing of both humans and wildlife.
Kirsten McEwan; Fiona J. Ferguson; Miles Richardson; Ross Cameron. The good things in urban nature: A thematic framework for optimising urban planning for nature connectedness. Landscape and Urban Planning 2019, 194, 103687 .
AMA StyleKirsten McEwan, Fiona J. Ferguson, Miles Richardson, Ross Cameron. The good things in urban nature: A thematic framework for optimising urban planning for nature connectedness. Landscape and Urban Planning. 2019; 194 ():103687.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsten McEwan; Fiona J. Ferguson; Miles Richardson; Ross Cameron. 2019. "The good things in urban nature: A thematic framework for optimising urban planning for nature connectedness." Landscape and Urban Planning 194, no. : 103687.
In an increasingly urbanised world where mental health is currently in crisis, interventions to increase human engagement and connection with the natural environment are one of the fastest growing, most widely accessible, and cost-effective ways of improving human wellbeing. This study aimed to provide an evaluation of a smartphone app-based wellbeing intervention. In a randomised controlled trial study design, the app prompted 582 adults, including a subgroup of adults classified by baseline scores on the Recovering Quality of Life scale as having a common mental health problem (n = 148), to notice the good things about urban nature (intervention condition) or built spaces (active control). There were statistically significant and sustained improvements in wellbeing at one-month follow-up. Importantly, in the noticing urban nature condition, compared to a built space control, improvements in quality of life reached statistical significance for all adults and clinical significance for those classified as having a mental health difficulty. This improvement in wellbeing was partly explained by significant increases in nature connectedness and positive affect. This study provides the first controlled experimental evidence that noticing the good things about urban nature has strong clinical potential as a wellbeing intervention and social prescription.
Kirsten McEwan; Miles Richardson; David Sheffield; Fiona J. Ferguson; Paul Brindley. A Smartphone App for Improving Mental Health through Connecting with Urban Nature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 3373 .
AMA StyleKirsten McEwan, Miles Richardson, David Sheffield, Fiona J. Ferguson, Paul Brindley. A Smartphone App for Improving Mental Health through Connecting with Urban Nature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (18):3373.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsten McEwan; Miles Richardson; David Sheffield; Fiona J. Ferguson; Paul Brindley. 2019. "A Smartphone App for Improving Mental Health through Connecting with Urban Nature." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 18: 3373.
The majority of research to date on the links between well-being and green spaces comes from cross-sectional studies. Shmapped is an app that allows for the collection of well-being and location data live in the field and acts as a novel dual data collection tool and well-being intervention, which prompts users to notice the good things about their surroundings. We describe the process of developing Shmapped from storyboarding, budgeting, and timescales; selecting a developer; drawing up data protection plans; and collaborating with developers and end-user testers to ultimately publishing Shmapped. The development process and end-user testing resulted in a highly functional app. Limitations and future uses of such novel dual data collection and intervention apps are discussed and recommendations are made for prospective developers and researchers.
Kirsten McEwan; Miles Richardson; Paul Brindley; David Sheffield; Crawford Tait; Steve Johnson; Hana Sutch; Fiona J Ferguson. Shmapped: development of an app to record and promote the well-being benefits of noticing urban nature. Translational Behavioral Medicine 2019, 10, 723 -733.
AMA StyleKirsten McEwan, Miles Richardson, Paul Brindley, David Sheffield, Crawford Tait, Steve Johnson, Hana Sutch, Fiona J Ferguson. Shmapped: development of an app to record and promote the well-being benefits of noticing urban nature. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 2019; 10 (3):723-733.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsten McEwan; Miles Richardson; Paul Brindley; David Sheffield; Crawford Tait; Steve Johnson; Hana Sutch; Fiona J Ferguson. 2019. "Shmapped: development of an app to record and promote the well-being benefits of noticing urban nature." Translational Behavioral Medicine 10, no. 3: 723-733.
PurposeThere is a need to provide interventions to improve well-being that are accessible and cost-effective. Interventions to increase engagement with nature are coming to the fore. The Wildlife Trusts 30 Days Wild campaign shows promise as a large-scale intervention for improving public engagement with nature for well-being. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 273 people fully participated in a repeated measures evaluation comparing baseline measures of nature connection, health, happiness and conservation behaviours with measures post-30 days and 3 months.FindingsThere were sustained and significant increases for scores in nature connection, health, happiness and conservation behaviours. Those with lower scores at baseline in nature connection, conservation behaviours and happiness showed the most benefit. Older participants and those with higher baseline scores in conservation behaviours were the most likely to sustain their engagement with the campaign.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the design and defined outcomes meet criteria for public health interventions, the self-reported measures, self-selecting sample and attrition are limitations.Originality/valueThe significant and sustained effects of the campaign on health, happiness and nature connection and conservation make this a promising intervention for improving human’s and nature’s well-being. The large community sample and naturalistic setting for the intervention make these data relevant to future interventions and policy.
Miles Richardson; Kirsten McEwan; Gulcan Garip. 30 Days Wild: who benefits most? Journal of Public Mental Health 2018, 17, 95 -104.
AMA StyleMiles Richardson, Kirsten McEwan, Gulcan Garip. 30 Days Wild: who benefits most? Journal of Public Mental Health. 2018; 17 (3):95-104.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMiles Richardson; Kirsten McEwan; Gulcan Garip. 2018. "30 Days Wild: who benefits most?" Journal of Public Mental Health 17, no. 3: 95-104.
Kirsten McEwan; James Elander; Paul Gilbert. Evaluation of a Web-based Self-compassion Intervention to Reduce Student Assessment Anxiety. Interdisciplinary Education and Psychology 2018, 2, 1 .
AMA StyleKirsten McEwan, James Elander, Paul Gilbert. Evaluation of a Web-based Self-compassion Intervention to Reduce Student Assessment Anxiety. Interdisciplinary Education and Psychology. 2018; 2 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsten McEwan; James Elander; Paul Gilbert. 2018. "Evaluation of a Web-based Self-compassion Intervention to Reduce Student Assessment Anxiety." Interdisciplinary Education and Psychology 2, no. 1: 1.
Research demonstrates that highly self-critical individuals can respond negatively to the initial introduction of a range of therapeutic interventions. Yet touch as a form of therapeutic intervention in self-critical individuals has received limited prior investigation, despite documentation of its beneficial effects for well-being. Using the Forms of Self-Criticism/Self-Reassuring Scale, 15 high- and 14 low- self-critical individuals (from a sample of 139 females) were recruited to assess how self-criticism impacts upon a single instance of focused touch. All participants took part in a hand massage- and haptic control- intervention. Salivary cortisol and alpha amylase, as well as questionnaire measures of emotional responding were taken before and after the interventions. Following hand massage, analyses revealed cortisol decreased significantly across all participants; and that significant changes in emotional responding reflected well-being improvements across all participants. Supplementary analyses further revealed decreased alpha amylase responding to hand massage as compared to a compassion-focused intervention in the same (highly self-critical) individuals. Taken together, the physiological and emotional data indicate high self-critical individuals responded in a comparable manner to low self-critical individuals to a single instance of hand massage. This highlights that focused touch may be beneficial when first engaging highly self-critical individuals with specific interventions.
Frances A. Maratos; Joana Duarte; Christopher Barnes; Kirsten McEwan; David Sheffield; Paul Gilbert. The physiological and emotional effects of touch: Assessing a hand-massage intervention with high self-critics. Psychiatry Research 2017, 250, 221 -227.
AMA StyleFrances A. Maratos, Joana Duarte, Christopher Barnes, Kirsten McEwan, David Sheffield, Paul Gilbert. The physiological and emotional effects of touch: Assessing a hand-massage intervention with high self-critics. Psychiatry Research. 2017; 250 ():221-227.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrances A. Maratos; Joana Duarte; Christopher Barnes; Kirsten McEwan; David Sheffield; Paul Gilbert. 2017. "The physiological and emotional effects of touch: Assessing a hand-massage intervention with high self-critics." Psychiatry Research 250, no. : 221-227.
This study assessed the acceptability of practising compassionate imagery as an online task without clinician support. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, after, and 6 months of follow-up. Participants engaged safely and successfully with the tasks. There were significant improvements in questionnaire scores which were largely maintained over 6 months.
Kirsten McEwan; Paul Gilbert. A pilot feasibility study exploring the practising of compassionate imagery exercises in a nonclinical population. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 2015, 89, 239 -243.
AMA StyleKirsten McEwan, Paul Gilbert. A pilot feasibility study exploring the practising of compassionate imagery exercises in a nonclinical population. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 2015; 89 (2):239-243.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsten McEwan; Paul Gilbert. 2015. "A pilot feasibility study exploring the practising of compassionate imagery exercises in a nonclinical population." Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 89, no. 2: 239-243.
The Forms of Self‐Criticising/Attacking & Self‐Reassuring Scale (FSCRS, Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles, & Irons, 2004, Br. J. Clin. Psychology, 43, 31) is a self‐report instrument that measures self‐criticism and self‐reassurance. It has shown good reliability and has been used in several different studies and in a range of different populations. The aim of this study was to explore its psychometric proprieties in a large clinical and non‐clinical sample, to establish its reliability. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first study to provide normative data to FSCRS. Differences in population scores will also be addressed. Data were collated from 12 different studies, resulting in 887 non‐clinical participants and 167 mixed diagnosis patients who completed the FSCRS. A confirmatory factor analysis shows that both in non‐clinical and clinical samples, the three‐factor model of FSCRS is a well‐adjusted measure for assessing the two forms of self‐criticism and a form of self‐reassurance. Normative data for the scale are presented. Comparing the two populations, the non‐clinical was more self‐reassuring and less self‐critical than the clinical one. Comparing genders, in the non‐clinical population men were more self‐reassuring and less self‐critical than women. No significant gender differences were found in the clinical population. Taken together, results corroborate previous findings about the link between self‐criticism and clinical population, which stresses the need to both assess and address it in therapy. Results also confirm that FSCRS is a robust and reliable instrument, which now can aid clinicians and researchers to have a better understanding of the results, taking into account the norms presented.
Rita Baião; Paul Gilbert; Kirsten McEwan; Sérgio Carvalho. Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale: Psychometric properties and normative study. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 2014, 88, 438 -452.
AMA StyleRita Baião, Paul Gilbert, Kirsten McEwan, Sérgio Carvalho. Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale: Psychometric properties and normative study. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 2014; 88 (4):438-452.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRita Baião; Paul Gilbert; Kirsten McEwan; Sérgio Carvalho. 2014. "Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale: Psychometric properties and normative study." Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 88, no. 4: 438-452.
Imagery is known to be a powerful means of stimulating various physiological processes and is increasingly used within standard psychological therapies. Compassion‐focused imagery (CFI) has been used to stimulate affiliative emotion in people with mental health problems. However, evidence suggests that self‐critical individuals may have particular difficulties in this domain with single trials. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the role of self‐criticism in responsiveness to CFI by specifically pre‐selecting participants based on trait self‐criticism. Using the Forms of Self‐Criticism/Self‐Reassuring Scale, 29 individuals from a total sample of 139 were pre‐selected to determine how self‐criticism impacts upon an initial instance of imagery. All participants took part in three activities: a control imagery intervention (useable data N = 25), a standard CFI intervention (useable data N = 25), and a non‐intervention control (useable data N = 24). Physiological measurements (alpha amylase) as well as questionnaire measures of emotional responding (i.e., the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Types of Positive Affect Scale, and the State Adult Attachment Scale) were taken before and after the different interventions. Following both imagery interventions, repeated measures analyses revealed that alpha amylase increased significantly for high self‐critics compared with low self‐critics. High self‐critics (HSC) also reported greater insecurity on entering the imagery session and more negative CFI experiences compared with low self‐critics. Data demonstrate that HSC respond negatively to imagery interventions in a single trial. This highlights that imagery focused therapies (e.g., CFI) need interventions that manage fears, blocks, and resistances to the techniques, particularly in HSC.
Joana Duarte; Kirsten McEwan; Christopher Barnes; Paul Gilbert; Frances A. Maratos. Do therapeutic imagery practices affect physiological and emotional indicators of threat in high self-critics? Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 2014, 88, 270 -284.
AMA StyleJoana Duarte, Kirsten McEwan, Christopher Barnes, Paul Gilbert, Frances A. Maratos. Do therapeutic imagery practices affect physiological and emotional indicators of threat in high self-critics? Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 2014; 88 (3):270-284.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJoana Duarte; Kirsten McEwan; Christopher Barnes; Paul Gilbert; Frances A. Maratos. 2014. "Do therapeutic imagery practices affect physiological and emotional indicators of threat in high self-critics?" Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 88, no. 3: 270-284.
Francisca Catarino; Paul Gilbert; Kirsten McEwan; Rita Baião. Compassion Motivations: Distinguishing Submissive Compassion From Genuine Compassion and its Association With Shame, Submissive Behavior, Depression, Anxiety and Stress. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 2014, 33, 399 -412.
AMA StyleFrancisca Catarino, Paul Gilbert, Kirsten McEwan, Rita Baião. Compassion Motivations: Distinguishing Submissive Compassion From Genuine Compassion and its Association With Shame, Submissive Behavior, Depression, Anxiety and Stress. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 2014; 33 (5):399-412.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancisca Catarino; Paul Gilbert; Kirsten McEwan; Rita Baião. 2014. "Compassion Motivations: Distinguishing Submissive Compassion From Genuine Compassion and its Association With Shame, Submissive Behavior, Depression, Anxiety and Stress." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 33, no. 5: 399-412.
Attachment with altruistic others requires the ability to appropriately process affiliative and kind facial cues. Yet there is no stimulus set available to investigate such processes. Here, we developed a stimulus set depicting compassionate and critical facial expressions, and validated its effectiveness using well-established visual-probe methodology. In Study 1, 62 participants rated photographs of actors displaying compassionate/kind and critical faces on strength of emotion type. This produced a new stimulus set based on N = 31 actors, whose facial expressions were reliably distinguished as compassionate, critical and neutral. In Study 2, 70 participants completed a visual-probe task measuring attentional orientation to critical and compassionate/kind faces. This revealed that participants lower in self-criticism demonstrated enhanced attention to compassionate/kind faces whereas those higher in self-criticism showed no bias. To sum, the new stimulus set produced interpretable findings using visual-probe methodology and is the first to include higher order, complex positive affect displays.
Kirsten McEwan; Paul Gilbert; Stéphane Dandeneau; Sigrid Lipka; Frances Maratos; Kevin B. Paterson; Mark Baldwin. Facial Expressions Depicting Compassionate and Critical Emotions: The Development and Validation of a New Emotional Face Stimulus Set. PLOS ONE 2014, 9, e88783 .
AMA StyleKirsten McEwan, Paul Gilbert, Stéphane Dandeneau, Sigrid Lipka, Frances Maratos, Kevin B. Paterson, Mark Baldwin. Facial Expressions Depicting Compassionate and Critical Emotions: The Development and Validation of a New Emotional Face Stimulus Set. PLOS ONE. 2014; 9 (2):e88783.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsten McEwan; Paul Gilbert; Stéphane Dandeneau; Sigrid Lipka; Frances Maratos; Kevin B. Paterson; Mark Baldwin. 2014. "Facial Expressions Depicting Compassionate and Critical Emotions: The Development and Validation of a New Emotional Face Stimulus Set." PLOS ONE 9, no. 2: e88783.
Many of the performance-based mobility measures that are currently used in Huntington's disease (HD) were developed for assessment in other neurological conditions such as stroke. We aimed to assess the individual item-response of commonly used performance-based mobility measures, with a view to optimizing the scales for specific application in Huntington's Disease (HD). Data from a larger multicentre, observational study were used. Seventy-five people with HD (11 pre-manifest & 64 manifest) were assessed on the Six-Minute Walk Test, 10-Meter Walk Test, Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Physical Performance Test (PPT), Four Square Step Test, and Tinetti Mobility Test (TMT). The Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, Functional Assessment Scale and Total Functional Capacity scores were recorded, alongside cognitive measures. Standard regression analysis was used to assess predictive validity. Individual item responses were investigated using a sequence of approaches to allow for gradual removal of items and the subsequent creation of shortened versions. Psychometric properties (reliability and discriminant ability) of the shortened scales were assessed. TUG (β 0.46, CI 0.20-3.47), BBS (β -0.35, CI -2.10-0.14), and TMT (β -0.45, CI -3.14-0.64) were good disease-specific mobility measures. PPT was the best measure of functional performance (β 0.42, CI 0.00-0.43 for TFC & β 0.57 CI 0.15-0.81 for FAS). Shortened versions of BBS and TMT were developed based on item analysis. The resultant BBS and TMT shortened scales were reliable for use in manifest HD. ROC analysis showed that shortened scales were able to discriminate between manifest and pre-manifest disease states. Our data suggests that the PPT is appropriate as a general measure of function in individuals with HD, and we have identified shortened versions of the BBS and TMT that measure the unique gait and balance impairments in HD. These scales, alongside the TUG, may therefore be important measures to consider in future clinical trials.
Monica Busse; Lori Quinn; Hanan Khalil; Kirsten McEwan. Optimising Mobility Outcome Measures in Huntington's Disease. Journal of Huntington's Disease 2014, 3, 175 -188.
AMA StyleMonica Busse, Lori Quinn, Hanan Khalil, Kirsten McEwan. Optimising Mobility Outcome Measures in Huntington's Disease. Journal of Huntington's Disease. 2014; 3 (2):175-188.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMonica Busse; Lori Quinn; Hanan Khalil; Kirsten McEwan. 2014. "Optimising Mobility Outcome Measures in Huntington's Disease." Journal of Huntington's Disease 3, no. 2: 175-188.
In a non‐clinical population, fears of compassion and fear of happiness have both been found to be highly correlated with alexithymia and depression. This study sought to explore these processes and their links with adult attachment and social safeness and pleasure in a depressed group. A total of 52 participants suffering from moderate to severe depression completed measures of fears of happiness, compassion from others and for self, in addition to measures of alexithymia, attachment, social safeness, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Fears of compassion and happiness were highly correlated with alexithymia, adult attachment, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Fear of happiness was found to be the best predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas fear of compassion from others was the best predictor of adult attachment. A path analysis showed that fears of positive emotion fully mediate the link between alexithymia and depression. This clinical sample had higher mean scores in fears of positive emotions, alexithymia, and depression, anxiety, and stress than a previously studied student sample. This study adds to the evidence that fears of positive emotions are important features of mental health difficulties. Unaddressed, these fears can block positive emotions and may lead to emotional avoidance of positive affect thus contributing as blocks to successful therapy. Therapies for depression may therefore profitably assess and desensitize the fear of positive emotions.
Paul Gilbert; Kirsten McEwan; Francisca Catarino; Rita Baião; Lara Palmeira. Fears of happiness and compassion in relationship with depression, alexithymia, and attachment security in a depressed sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology 2013, 53, 228 -244.
AMA StylePaul Gilbert, Kirsten McEwan, Francisca Catarino, Rita Baião, Lara Palmeira. Fears of happiness and compassion in relationship with depression, alexithymia, and attachment security in a depressed sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2013; 53 (2):228-244.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaul Gilbert; Kirsten McEwan; Francisca Catarino; Rita Baião; Lara Palmeira. 2013. "Fears of happiness and compassion in relationship with depression, alexithymia, and attachment security in a depressed sample." British Journal of Clinical Psychology 53, no. 2: 228-244.
Lorna Judge; Ailish Cleghorn; Kirsten McEwan; Paul Gilbert. An Exploration of Group-Based Compassion Focused Therapy for a Heterogeneous Range of Clients Presenting to a Community Mental Health Team. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy 2012, 5, 420 -429.
AMA StyleLorna Judge, Ailish Cleghorn, Kirsten McEwan, Paul Gilbert. An Exploration of Group-Based Compassion Focused Therapy for a Heterogeneous Range of Clients Presenting to a Community Mental Health Team. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy. 2012; 5 (4):420-429.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLorna Judge; Ailish Cleghorn; Kirsten McEwan; Paul Gilbert. 2012. "An Exploration of Group-Based Compassion Focused Therapy for a Heterogeneous Range of Clients Presenting to a Community Mental Health Team." International Journal of Cognitive Therapy 5, no. 4: 420-429.
Sarah Cruddas; Paul Gilbert; Kirsten McEwan. The Relationship between Self-Concealment and Disclosure, Early Experiences, Attachment, and Social Comparison. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy 2012, 5, 28 -37.
AMA StyleSarah Cruddas, Paul Gilbert, Kirsten McEwan. The Relationship between Self-Concealment and Disclosure, Early Experiences, Attachment, and Social Comparison. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy. 2012; 5 (1):28-37.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSarah Cruddas; Paul Gilbert; Kirsten McEwan. 2012. "The Relationship between Self-Concealment and Disclosure, Early Experiences, Attachment, and Social Comparison." International Journal of Cognitive Therapy 5, no. 1: 28-37.