A Self-Compassion Expressive Writing Intervention for Sexual Victimization Stigma

We trialed an online self-compassion-based writing intervention for sexual victimization (SV) stigma in 93 adult survivors of SV. The participants received instructions either to reflect and write about their experiences using self-compassion or open reflection over three weekly sessions. Visual analog scales were used to measure within-session changes in state internalized SV stigma (self-blame and self-shame) and perceived control over recovery, and two surveys (a baseline survey the week before the intervention and a follow-up survey the week after the intervention) were used to measure longer term changes in internalized SV stigma, control over recovery, self-compassion, and psychological functioning. Multiple mediation analyses on baseline data supported the idea that trait self-compassion is relevant to psychological functioning by way of reduced internalized SV stigma. Analyses of variance on within-session writing content and responses to state measures indicated that the self-compassion intervention promoted self-compassionate reflection and induced immediate improvements in state internalized SV stigma. Analyses of variance on responses to the baseline and follow-up surveys further suggested that the intervention also induced longer lasting (albeit small) improvements in trait internalized SV stigma (but not in trait self-compassion or psychological functioning). The results support the use of online self-compassionate expressive writing to treat internalized SV-related stigma. However, further research is required to understand how to extend these benefits to achieve longer lasting improvements in psychological functioning.