Evaluating the Impact of a Compassion Focused Therapy Group on Parent and Caregiver Psychological Flexibility
Abstract
Compassion focused therapy (CFT) for parents and caregivers is an emerging evidence-based intervention that aims to teach caregivers how to manage their own stress and frustration, as well as co-regulate their children’s emotions and self-soothing capabilities. Previous research has found that CFT interventions can improve parental self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and increase their sense of self-efficacy. The present study aimed to determine whether parental burnout and psychological inflexibility can be reduced through a novel CFT caregiver protocol. Results of the present study provide preliminary support for the utility of the intervention. Analyses of relations between constructs as well as the quantitative and qualitative results were consistent with findings from previous studies on the processes of interest. Paired samples t-tests also revealed that caregivers responded positively to the intervention and perceived the program to be helpful. Implications for future CFT parent and caregiver interventions are discussed.