"Effectiveness of Emotion Focused Training for Self-Compassion and Self-Protection in Individuals with Increased Narcissism"

Abstract

"Objective: The goal of the study was to map out the effectiveness of a 14-day online intervention (EFT-SCP) focused on self-compassion and self-protection in people with an increased level of narcissism. Method: The research sample consisted of 63 participants, 19 men and 44 women, aged 21 to 70 years (M = 32.49; SD = 15.73). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention group (N = 32) or to the passive control group (N = 31). Results: The results indicate that the self-compassion level in the experimental group did not increase following the intervention. However, the same group scored significantly lower on self-criticism after taking part in the intervention. Conclusion: Short term online intervention was able to decrease self-criticism in subclinical population with increased traits of narcissism but was not effective in increasing self-compassion. It seems that in individuals with increased narcissism, it could take longer to develop kind and warm feelings towards self, connected to self-compassion. The process of decreasing self-criticism was effective and could be the starting point for further cultivating of self."