Neural correlates of reduction in self-judgment after mindful self-compassion training: A pilot study with resting state fMRI.
Journal of mood and anxiety disorders March 1, 2025 Diane Joss, Michael Datko, Charisma I Washington et al. 5 citations
Self-judgment, a symptom common to many psychological disorders, often follows childhood maltreatment and can make standard treatments less effective. In a pilot study of 24 adults with anxiety or depressive disorders (83% had multiple diagnoses), an eight-week mindful self-compassion program significantly reduced self-judgment and increased self-compassion. Participants who reported more childhood trauma improved more than those with less trauma. Brain scans showed that reduced self-judgment was linked to stronger connections between the posterior cingulate cortex and frontal regions involved in regulation and language, and weaker connections with the amygdala-hippocampal complex, suggesting the training lessens fear-related influences on self-referential thinking while boosting executive control.