Is self-compassion relevant to the pathology and treatment of eating and body image concerns?

This PhD thesis examines the role of self-compassion in eating pathology and body image concerns across a variety of methodologies. The introductory chapter (Chapter 1) provides background context and addresses the relevant existing literature, leading to the conclusion that self-compassion might be relevant to the pathology and the treatment of eating and body image issues. Therefore, a meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted (in Chapter 2) to empirically evaluate the association of self-compassion with levels of eating and body image concerns, and whether increasing self-compassion can reduce such concerns. Acting on the meta-analytic findings, the first empirical study (Chapter 3) aimed to explore the mechanism of action of self-compassion in relation to eating pathology and body dissatisfaction. A cross-sectional study of men and women was conducted to understand whether perfectionism, self-criticism, rumination, and external shame could reveal the links between self-compassion with eating pathology and body dissatisfaction. This study was then extended into a longitudinal methodology (over 6-months) for the female participants only (Chapter 4) to explore mediation more thoroughly. The final step was to test the effectiveness of compassion as an intervention for eating pathology and body image concerns in two interconnected studies. The next study (Chapter 5) therefore tested the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of delivering online self-compassion versus exposure interventions for reducing eating pathology and body image disturbance. The feasibility study findings were then used to design and conduct a randomised controlled trial in the final study (Chapter 6). This final study focussed on evaluating the effectiveness of differing self-compassion interventions on state body shame. The final chapter (Chapter 7) is a general discussion, drawing together the outcomes and considering these from various theoretical perspectives. Implications are discussed, indicating further research directions, as well as potential interventions and prevention strategies.