Self-compassion and Self-criticism: a Virtual Reality Intervention
- Conditions
- Self-Criticism
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Double StandardsBehavioral: Self-criticism avatar
- Registration Number
- NCT05887141
- Lead Sponsor
- University Medical Center Groningen
- Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate two independent Virtual Reality interventions for self-criticism and self-compassion and the use of perspective-change in these interventions.
- Detailed Description
The current study will use two novel Virtual Reality (VR) exercises that will be investigated through two independent sub-studies. First of all, an exercise that uses the CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) technique called 'Double standards'. People with excessive self-criticism often set higher standards for themselves, which makes them more critical towards themselves. A way to distance from this, to enable a more nuanced reflection, is to ask the patient what they would say to a friend having those same negative thoughts about themselves. Doing this utilizing a role play in a realistic VR environment of which the avatar has the characteristics of a friend, the effect could be even stronger. Furthermore, VR offers the chance to switch perspectives, in which the participants receive their own compassionate comments from the perspective of the friend, and experience themselves as a good friend.
The second exercise, 'Self-criticism avatar', has common grounds with the (two-)chair exercises of schema therapy and the voice dialogue method in which a patient enters a dialogue between one's inner voices. In the VR exercise, the participant will be able to choose a virtual character with a voice that represents their own inner critic and that gives them their own self-criticism. By assertively and strictly speaking up to the inner critic, after which the virtual character becomes smaller and smaller until it backs down, the participant can experience a sense of control over their self-criticism, which leaves more room for self-compassion. A discussion with the inner critic enables a more nuanced image with more self-compassion. The switch in perspective after the role-play allows the participant to see himself/herself speaking assertively to the avatar, which can strengthen the increase in self-compassion and decrease in self-criticism.
Switching of perspectives is a relatively new technique within VR, that can be of added value to regular psychological therapies. Regular psychological therapies use switching of perspectives by switching roles in a physical role-play between a therapist and a patient or in a group. Furthermore, imaginative switches of perspective are used in, for example, schema therapy or imagery rescripting. Even though this can bring new insight into another perspective, it is not possible to replay the role play where the participant can see himself/herself from someone else's perspective. This is, however, possible through VR.
The current study will investigate the two beforementioned VR exercises using two independent sub-studies, to determine whether they contribute to self-compassion and if the switch in perspective is of added value. This will be done by comparing two conditions for each VR exercise; one with a switch in perspective and one without a switch in perspective. The study aims to answer the following research questions:
* Do the two VR-self compassion exercises have a positive effect on self-compassion (increase) and self-criticism (decrease)?
* Is the switch in perspective for the exercise 'Double standards of added value? In other words: is receiving one's own compassionate response of added value in addition to showing compassion to a vulnerable other.
* Is the switch in perspective for the exercise 'self-criticism avatar' of added value? In other words: is watching oneself in a strong and resilient manner of added value in addition to assertively speaking up to one's inner critic?
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 136
- Enrolled in a study
- Score above 20 (>20) on the subscale 'Inadequate self' of the FSCRS questionnaire
- N/A
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Control Condition (no perspective change) Double Standards The intervention (two role-plays), however without using a perspective change afterwards. Perspective change condition Self-criticism avatar The intervention (two role-plays) with a perspective change after each role-play. Control Condition (no perspective change) Self-criticism avatar The intervention (two role-plays), however without using a perspective change afterwards. Perspective change condition Double Standards The intervention (two role-plays) with a perspective change after each role-play.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion Scales (SCCS) - Change in Self-Criticism Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention Levels of state self-criticism as measured by the SCCS. The questionnaire consists of five scenarios that could induce self-critical and/or self-compassionate reactions. For the self-criticism scale, participants indicate on a 7-point Likert scale (1= not at all to 7= highly) to what extent they would react towards themselves in a contemptuous, critical, and harsh manner (range 15-105, higher scores reflect more self-criticism).
Self-Criticism and Self-Compassion Scales (SCCS) - Change in Self-Compassion Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention Levels of state self-compassion as measured by the SCCS. The questionnaire consists of five scenarios that could induce self-critical and/or self-compassionate reactions. For the self-compassion scale, participants indicate on a 7-point Likert scale (1= not at all to 7= highly) to what extent they would react towards themselves in a reassuring, soothing, and compassionate manner (range 15-105, higher scores reflect more self-compassion).
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in negative affect Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) measuring negative affect with three questions (range 0-100 for each question, higher scores reflect a higher negative affect)
Change in positive affect Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) measuring positive affect with three questions (range 0-100 for each questions, higher scores reflect a higher positive affect)
Change in self-compassion and self-esteem Right before (Timepoint 1) and directly after (Timepoint 2) the +/- 60 minute intervention Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) measuring self-compassion and self-esteem with six questions (range 0-100 for each question, higher scores reflect higher self-compassion and self-esteem)
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University Medical Center Groningen
🇳🇱Groningen, Netherlands
University Medical Center Groningen🇳🇱Groningen, Netherlands