City Research Online

Abstract

The therapeutic use of mirrors has been well-researched in clinical populations, but their wider use as tools for wellbeing remains under-researched. This mixed methodology research adopted a pragmatic approach to exploring the effects of a mirror on self-compassion. Two groups of experienced mindfulness practitioners total n = 12 were recruited to complete either a week-long Self-Compassion intervention in front of a mirror or the same conditions except keeping eyes closed. Participants were offered the choice of completing written or typed journals after each exercise. Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) scores were measured pre- and post-intervention; Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22), statistics, and Narrative Inquiry (NI) were used to analyse and interpret participant diaries both quantitatively and qualitatively. There was no statistically significant difference between the average SCS scores between groups (p > 0.05); there were statistically significant differences in LIWC-22 data, including the use of Compassion-, Mindfulness-, and Autonomy- or Controlling-associated words, with the Control group generally showing higher scores than the Mirror Group in all but Controlling-associated word use. Integrating NI findings suggests that a mirror was distracting, but not completely without benefit, and that self-compassion, when verbalised toward themselves, could have numerous powerful effects on participants’ relationships with themselves. The findings suggest that mirrors are generally challenging and may require specific training for their use as wellbeing tools, and that self-compassionate language use alone appears to be more impactful in increasing self-compassion in this sample than doing so in front of a mirror.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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