Implementation of Self-compassion Strategies in Schools to Reduce Academic Stress (2016)

Undergraduate: Elizabeth Kennedy

Faculty Advisor: Patrick Akos
Department: Biology

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Today more than ever, many students experience immense academic stress. Sources of student stress can be derived from relationships with parents, peer-based competition, and/or oneself. Numerous studies have revealed that enduring stress has negative health implications, including a pre-disposition to anxiety or depression related disorders. With student academic stress at an all-time-high, there is a call for research to explore coping mechanisms to reduce stress. One potential mediator, which studies have suggested could have far-reaching effects even beyond the reduction of academic stress, is the development of more self-compassion in students. This review of recent studies on self-compassion denotes and elaborates on the various positive effects self-compassion has on stress and overall wellbeing. In an effort to confront this stress epidemic in students, this paper blends research from a number of studies and suggests an innovative strategy for implementing the most effective version of a self-compassion curriculum in schools.