Altering the trajectory of affect and affect regulation: The impact of compassion training

Jazaieri, H., McGonigal, K., Lee, I. A., Jinpa, T., Doty, J. R., Gross, J. J., & Goldin, P. R. (2017). Altering the trajectory of affect and affect regulation: The impact of compassion training. Mindfulness. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s12671-017-0773-3

Investigators examined the effects of a compassion training program on affect and affect regulation by implementing a 9-week compassion cultivation training (CCT) program and analyzing four affective states (anxiety, calm, fatigue, alertness) as well as the desire and capability to regulate them. Daily trajectories showed a general decrease in anxiety and an increase in calmness, likely due to participants tending to choose acceptance of the affective experience, regardless of whether they were negative or positive. At the same time, participants also reported more capability in meeting their goals for affective regulation. Over the course of the training program, participants reported greater acceptance in the face of stress and/or anxiety.  Implications for the effects of compassion training programs on affective regulation and self-efficacy are discussed.