Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Filters

2023 - 20242

Settings

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.self-compassion

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Shame in therapy : the perceptions of trainees, counsellors, and early career psychologists concerning the identification and amelioration of shame : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Nortje, Marnell
    Shame has many facets that make it difficult to be defined (Bradshaw, 1988). The complexity of defining shame extends to the difficulty in identifying it in therapy. Research has indicated that shame can have overlapping symptoms in client presentations with that of depression as well as social anxiety, and this could hinder the treatment of shame (Swee, Hudson, & Heimberg, 2021; Kim, Thibodeau, &Jorgensen, 2011). This study aimed to explore how students in their final year of psychology, counsellors, and early-career psychologists perceive shame as a distinct construct in client case scenarios. The study also sought to determine whether introducing a prime would influence case conceptualisation. Recognizing that these emotional states, depression, feeling ashamed and socially anxious can influence each other during therapy sessions, and might hinder the identification of shame, this study intended to shed light on the potential implications this may have on effective treatment. A total of 18 participants who met the criteria were recruited. Six distinct online questionnaires were developed, each presenting the same two client case scenarios and questions but employing different primes related to the three emotional states under investigation. Each participant completed one online questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics indicating the frequency of the affective terms before and after the prime effect as well as Thematic Analysis to identify the prominent themes otherwise mentioned in the case conceptualisation. The findings of the study highlighted the complex relationship between shame, depression, and social anxiety and how shame can be masked in client presentations. Social Anxiety was the most prominent affective term that was identified by the participants. Although shame was only identified twice, self- compassion was recommended 42% of the time as the most suitable treatment option across all affective states identified. This study highlighted the need for improved understanding of shame and how it can present as different affective states in therapy and the effective identification and treatment of it.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Feeling good about your body : the role of self-compassion in supporting body appreciation amongst New Zealand adults : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science in Psychology at Massey University, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Braven, Aleisha Nicole
    In Aotearoa New Zealand, there are concerning rates of eating disorders and normativity of body discontent (Tantleff-Dunn et al., 2011; Wells et al., 2006). Research has indicated that negative body image is, in part, a consequence of exposure to societal appearance ideals that impede self-worth (e.g., appearance contingent self-worth) and body-related threats (e.g., body comparison) that people are challenged with on a daily basis. While increasing positive body image has been a proposed mechanism for reducing symptoms of eating disorders (Piran & Tylka, 2019), no research has been conducted that examines positive body image and threats to positive body image among New Zealanders. Additionally, there is a research deficit regarding the factors involved in fostering and safeguarding positive body image in New Zealanders. One factor which is shown to be related to protecting positive body image from body-related threats is self-compassion, or the ability to be kind to oneself even amid times of difficulty and suffering. Homan and Tylka (2015) investigated this phenomenon and found that self-compassion protected participants body appreciation from the threats of body comparison and appearance contingent self-worth. This study aimed to directly replicate Homan and Tylka’s (2015) study by investigating whether self-compassion would moderate the relationships between body appreciation and (a) body comparison and (b) appearance contingent self-worth. Additionally, it aimed to examine the associations between self-compassion, body appreciation, body comparison and appearance contingent self-worth in a diverse sample of Aotearoa New Zealand adults. Participants (N = 206; mean age = 34.8, SD = 12.4) completed self-report measures of self-compassion, body appreciation, body comparison and appearance contingent self-worth online via Qualtrics. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and two regression-based moderation analyses were conducted to investigate the relationships between the main study variables and to test self- compassion as a moderator. Results indicated that body comparison and appearance contingent self-worth were negatively related to body appreciation and that self-compassion was positively associated with body appreciation. However, in contrast to Homan and Tylka’s (2015) study, self-compassion did not moderate the negative relationship between body appreciation and body comparison and appearance contingent self-worth, such that self-compassion did not appear to protect participants body appreciation from the threats of body comparison and appearance contingent self-worth. These results underline the need for more research attention on positive body image and highlight self-compassion as an advantageous characteristic supporting positive body image among New Zealanders.