Abstract
Objectives
Health behavior engagement reduces adverse events associated with chronic disease. Self-regulating health behaviors is challenging; individuals are further at a disadvantage due to the experience of unpleasant affective states after chronic disease diagnosis. Self-compassion (SC)—an orientation to care for oneself during challenging times—may reduce the experience of difficult affective states and facilitate health behavior self-regulation. This study’s aim was to systematically explore SC’s relationship with affective states, health behavior engagement, and self-regulation among individuals living with a chronic disease.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review from six databases. Eligible studies included adults diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), or respiratory disease; utilized a SC intervention, prospective or cross-sectional design; were written in English; investigated affective states, health behaviors, and/or self-regulation; and used a validated SC scale.
Results
Thirty-seven articles (N = 7,141 participants) were included in the review. SC was positively associated with health behavior engagement and adaptive cognitive emotional regulation in all included chronic diseases (except respiratory disease). SC was negatively associated with unpleasant affective states in the context of all included chronic diseases. Preliminary results indicate SC interventions may lead to decreases in unpleasant affective states among individuals diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, and CVD. No research has examined SC and behavior self-regulation.
Conclusions
This review highlights the potential psychological and physical benefits of SC for individuals diagnosed with a chronic disease. More research is needed to understand the role of SC among individuals diagnosed with a chronic disease.
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Funding
This study was funded through a Bridge Funding program through the University of Manitoba and Research Manitoba under Dr. Shaelyn Strachan.
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BNS designed the study, reviewed all abstracts and full texts, abstracted the data, and prepared the manuscript. SMK reviewed all abstracts and full texts, abstracted the data, and assisted with manuscript preparation. CJN assisted with study design, ran the search, and reviewed the final manuscript. LC, KB, DSK, and TT assisted with study design, provided insight on abstract review process, and reviewed the final manuscript. TAD and SMS provided leadership, assisted with study design, and reviewed the final manuscript.
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Due to the nature of a scoping review, this study did not require ethics approval as indicated by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba.
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The authors declare no competing interests.
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Semenchuk, B.N., Kullman, S.M., Neilson, C.J. et al. Self-compassion, Health Behaviors, Self-regulation, and Affective States Among Individuals at Risk of or Diagnosed with a Chronic Disease: a Scoping Review. Mindfulness 13, 1085–1111 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01821-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01821-3