Mwale, AL;
(2017)
Exploring the barriers to generating compassionate imagery in individuals diagnosed with a personality disorder: The role of adverse childhood experiences, self-compassion and current affect.
Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This thesis is presented in three distinct sections: Part one consists of a systematic literature review that explores the relationship between self-compassion and the severity of post-trauma psychopathology. A total of 18 studies were examined and reviewed. The findings of this review demonstrated that lower self-compassion is associated with poorer post-traumatic outcomes which include higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and suicidality. This thesis was conducted as part of a joint project with another student who was also completing her clinical psychology doctorate at UCL (Naismith, 2016). Part two presents an empirical paper that explored whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), current affect and self-compassion were predictive of the ability to generate compassionate imagery in individuals diagnosed with a personality disorder. General imagery vividness, negative mood and the negative psychological impact of ACEs were related to difficulties with generating compassionate imagery. Levels of self-compassion improved after one-week of practising the imagery exercises. The distressing impact of childhood trauma may need to be addressed prior to engaging some individuals with a personality disorder in standard forms of compassion focussed therapies. Part three of this thesis consists of a critical appraisal of the work. It specifically highlights the importance of considering the emotional impact of this work on the researcher. The emotional reactions can be conceptualised as a catalyst that activates development of compassionate ways of working with stigmatised groups, specifically those that have received a diagnosis of a personality disorder.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | D.Clin.Psy |
| Title: | Exploring the barriers to generating compassionate imagery in individuals diagnosed with a personality disorder: The role of adverse childhood experiences, self-compassion and current affect |
| Event: | University College London |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1542990 |
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