Two Studies Involving Self-Compassion and Psychological Wellbeing: In Social Work (a Meta-Analysis) and in Student Sex Work (an Empirical Study)

Literature Review

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine levels of self-compassion in qualified and student social workers, and the relationship between self-compassion and age, gender, psychological distress, and work-related psychological wellbeing. Twenty-nine articles were included. Levels of self-compassion in qualified social workers were higher than in student social workers and a general population normative sample. Higher levels of self-compassion were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. The results suggest utility of self-compassion interventions for student social workers, however alternative approaches to social worker wellbeing are considered given the higher levels of self-compassion found in qualified social workers.

Empirical Research

This study investigated U.K. university students’ self-reported likelihood and experience of engaging in sex work, comparing levels of self-compassion, psychological wellbeing, experiences of shame, and adverse childhood experiences in students who reported experience of sex work with those who did not. An online survey was completed by 233 participants. Of these, 10.7% reported experience of sex work and 35% reported they would be likely to engage in sex work. Compared to students who reported no experience of sex work, those with reported experience of sex work were more likely to have experienced childhood sexual abuse and reported slightly higher levels of self-compassion and lower levels of bodily shame. No group differences were found in levels of psychological wellbeing or other forms of shame. Implications for supporting student wellbeing and future research are discussed.