Compassion and gender diversity: evaluation of an online compassion-focused therapy group in a gender service

Abstract

Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people may experience minority stress and internalised transnegativity, leading to increased psychological distress. Self-compassion has been suggested as a protective factor which can buffer against the impact of minority stress and stigma. This service evaluation study examined the outcomes of a novel compassion-focused therapy group intervention delivered online in a Gender Service. Twenty-one TGNC adults participated in the group and completed pre-group and post-group measures of psychological distress, internalised transnegativity, and compassion to self, to others, and from others. Participants had high levels of psychological distress and low levels of self-compassion pre-group. At the group level, there was a significant increase in levels of compassion to self and from others, and a significant decrease in pride (reverse scored) and alienation internalised transnegativity subscales. At an individual level, compassion to self and compassion from others were the most frequent areas where significant change was observed post-group. The compassion-focused therapy group appears to be effective in increasing levels of self-compassion and reducing aspects of internalised transnegativity, but without clear impact on psychological distress. This is preliminary evidence in support of the use of compassion-focused therapy groups within gender services, but further research is warranted and encouraged.