Exploring Self-Compassion in Virtual Reality: A New Perspective
A group of Dutch students recently took part in a study involving a single virtual reality (VR) session aimed at boosting their self-compassion and reducing self-criticism. The research focused on students known for their self-critical tendencies, asking them to show compassion towards a virtual character expressing their own self-critical thoughts. This study was published in “Behaviour Research and Therapy.”
**Self-Criticism** refers to the tendency to harshly evaluate oneself, focusing on perceived failures and shortcomings. It involves setting high standards and being overly critical of one’s actions and decisions. While self-criticism can sometimes motivate self-improvement, it can also lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and worsened mental well-being. Excessive self-criticism can be harmful, hindering personal development and contributing to negative emotional states like anxiety and depression.
Conversely, **self-compassion** involves treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and forgiveness, especially in difficult situations or in the face of failures. This attitude fosters emotional resilience and overall well-being, serving as an adaptive emotion regulation strategy that can contribute to improved mental health.
The study’s lead author, Marit Hidding, and colleagues set out to investigate whether a single VR session could reduce self-criticism and improve self-compassion by having participants adopt a different perspective. As there is an antagonistic relationship between self-criticism and self-compassion, it was hypothesized that enhancing self-compassion could decrease self-criticism.
To assess this, the researchers designed VR exercises based on a cognitive-behavioral technique called “double standards,” where participants considered how they would speak to a friend exhibiting similar self-criticism. The experiment involved 68 Dutch psychology students from the University of Groningen, aged 17 to 30, selected for their high levels of self-criticism using the Self-Criticism and Self-Kindness Scale.
Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. One group engaged in a VR session incorporating perspective-changing techniques (experimental group), while the other group underwent a similar VR session without this technique (control group).
During the procedure, participants entered the virtual environment to acclimate themselves. The researcher then discussed their self-criticism and guided them on showing compassion in subsequent role-plays. In these role-plays, participants were instructed to envision the virtual character as a friend and treat them kindly, representing their self-critical thoughts. Two such role-plays took place. For the experimental group, VR sessions were recorded and replayed, allowing participants to view the session from the virtual character’s perspective and hear their own compassionate responses. The control group did not have this experience.
Before and after the session, participants completed tests measuring self-criticism and self-compassion (Self-Compassion and Self-Criticism Scale), as well as momentary positive and negative feelings (Visual Analog Scale). They also reported their experiences concerning VR presence (Group Presence Questionnaire) and evaluated their subjective experiences related to the intervention.
The results showed that both groups experienced reduced self-criticism and increased self-compassion. Replaying the VR sessions with altered perspectives did not have a distinct effect as observed changes were similar in both groups. Positive and negative emotions remained unchanged post-session. The study concluded that “a single VR intervention based on the CBT technique ‘double standards’ was effective in reducing self-criticism and enhancing self-compassion significantly in the group of participants with high levels of self-criticism. The present study has shown that both showing compassion and receiving one’s own compassion have a significant positive impact. Showing compassion to someone else with similar self-criticism seems sufficient to gain self-compassion and reduce self-criticism,” as stated by the study’s authors.
The research sheds light on the potential therapeutic effects of interventions in virtual reality. It is important to note that while this study did not demonstrate the intended treatment effect, it did show changes in self-compassion and self-criticism in both groups post-intervention. Thus, it remains uncertain whether the change resulted directly from the intervention or occurred coincidentally. Additionally, the study assessed self-compassion and self-criticism immediately post-intervention, not in the long term.
**Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):**
1. **What is self-criticism?**
Self-criticism involves harshly evaluating oneself, focusing on failures and shortcomings. It can lead to low self-esteem and worsened mental well-being.
2. **What is self-compassion?**
Self-compassion entails treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and forgiveness. It promotes emotional resilience and overall well-being.
3. **What are the consequences of excessive self-criticism?**
Excessive self-criticism can hinder personal development and contribute to negative emotional states like anxiety and depression.
4. **What were the goals of the study?**
The study aimed to investigate whether a single virtual reality session could reduce self-criticism and enhance self-compassion by having participants adopt a different perspective.
5. **What was the study’s design?**
The study involved Dutch psychology students who were randomly assigned to two groups – one group participated in a VR session with perspective-changing techniques, while the other group engaged in a similar session without this technique.
6. **How did the virtual reality session unfold?**
Participants had the opportunity to examine their self-criticism and learn to show compassion towards a virtual character expressing their self-critical thoughts. The VR sessions were recorded and replayed, allowing participants to view the session from the virtual character’s perspective.
7. **What were the study’s results?**
Both groups experienced reduced self-criticism and increased self-compassion. Replaying the VR sessions with altered perspectives did not have a distinct effect as observed changes were similar in both groups.
8. **Does virtual reality intervention have therapeutic effects?**
The study suggests that a single virtual reality intervention can help reduce self-criticism and enhance self-compassion. However, it is important to note that the study did not demonstrate the intended treatment effect but only a change in self-compassion and self-criticism post-intervention.
9. **Are there any limitations to the study?**
The study did not assess the long-term effects of the intervention, and the change was evaluated immediately post-intervention.
**Related Links:**
– [Behaviour Research and Therapy](#)
— Source: Adapted from “Kompedium Wirtualnej Rzeczywistości: Promowanie Samo-ojczenia jako Strategii Radzenia Sobie”
The source of the article is from the blog qhubo.com.ni