An exploration of psychological flexibility and self-compassion among parents of young infants

This research portfolio was submitted in part fulfilment for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The portfolio contains a systematic literature review and a large-scale research project, both prepared for submission to peer-reviewed journals.<br/><br/><b>Systematic review:</b><br/>Title: A Meta Analytic Review of the Relationship Between Self- compassion and Depression in Mothers during the Perinatal Period<br/>Description: A meta-analysis of 10 samples was carried out to estimate the average effect size for the association between self-compassion and depression in women in the perinatal period. Results showed an overall negative association between self-compassion and depression in perinatal women (r= -.58) Variance in scores was not accounted for by stage in perinatal period or type of sample. Results suggest that self-compassion may act as a buffer against symptoms of depression in pregnant and postpartum women. Future exploration of the effectiveness of compassion-focused interventions is warranted. Future longitudinal research with clinical populations is needed however to increase our understanding of the relationship between these variables.<br/><br/><b>Large scale research project:</b><br/>Title: The Role of Psychological Flexibility and Self-compassion in Predicting Parental Distress and Adjustment in Parents of Preterm Infants<br/>Description: A quantitative analysis of 215 participants using multiple hierarchical regressions revealed psychological flexibility and self-compassion as unique predictors of psychological distress in parents of preterm infants. Components of psychological flexibility were unique predictors of individual and relational adjustment while self-compassion was predictive of relational but not individual adjustment. The portion of variance accounted for by self-compassion after controlling for psychological flexibility was modest however. Components of psychological flexibility but not self-compassion retained their predictive value for individual and relational adjustment when controlling for psychological distress. This study provides preliminary evidence of the potential protective role of psychological flexibility and self-compassion in the development of psychological distress and adjustment difficulties in parents of preterm infants and provides support for future development of acceptance based interventions for this population.<br/><br/><br/>

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Queen's University Belfast

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• O'Boyle-Finnegan, Una

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Adair, Pauline

• Psychology
• self-compassion
• parents

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:pure.qub.ac.uk/portal:studenttheses/571e91b1-773e-4b69-a32d-0b0e86daaf89

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:pure.qub.ac.uk/portal:studenttheses/571e91b1-773e-4b69-a32d-0b0e86daaf89