Can deficits in empathy after head injury be improved by compassionate imagery?
Neuropsychol Rehabil
; 22(6): 836-51, 2012.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22670572
ABSTRACT
Severe head injury (SHI) can result in problems in empathising, which in turn is associated with social difficulties. Compassionate imagery can increase compassion in non-brain injured people and can alter how they relate to themselves and others. This preliminary study investigates whether compassionate imagery can increase empathy in those with low empathy after SHI. A between-group repeated measures design was used wth 24 participants with severe SHI and low empathy, randomly allocated to a single treatment session of compassionate imagery or a control condition of relaxation. Empathy, self-compassion and relaxation were assessed pre- and post-intervention and fear of compassion pre-intervention as a potential covariate. A group effect of compassionate imagery on empathy was not found, F(1, 21) = 0.12, p = .73. A non-specific increase in self-compassion approached significance, T = 78.00, p = 0.07, r = -.26. Fear of compassion did not correlate significantly with changes in self-compassion or empathy. Demographic and injury factors associated with SHI that may impact on treatment effectiveness are discussed. Further research that takes these factors into account is warranted.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Personality Disorders
/
Imagery, Psychotherapy
/
Empathy
/
Craniocerebral Trauma
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Neuropsychol Rehabil
Journal subject:
NEUROLOGIA
/
PSICOLOGIA
/
REABILITACAO
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: