(PS13-A21) The Beneficial Effects of Self-compassion and Values Affirmation for Canadian Workers Recalling a Stressful Work Situation

Self-compassion and values affirmation are related to well-being, but there is limited research in the context of workplace well-being. We tested self-compassion and values affirmation writing exercises against a control condition to see if workers benefit from these brief exercises when recalling a stressful work situation. We hypothesized that completing the self-compassion or values affirmation exercise would result in a larger increase in positive affect and larger decrease in negative affect, and better perceptions of the ability to cope with similar future events than control. We also hypothesized that workers high (vs. low) in financial hardship or troublesome symptoms at work would benefit more from self-compassion or values affirmation. Participants (N = 752) were Canadian workers (18+) able to read English. Following baseline measures (e.g., financial hardship), participants recalled a stressful work situation and were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: self-compassion (n = 229), values affirmation (n = 275), or control (n = 248). Those in the self-compassion condition were guided to write about their situation mindfully, as a part of being human, and with self-kindness. Those engaged in values affirmation chose an important value and wrote how it could help in future situations. Those in the control condition provided more situation details, chose a value of least importance, and discussed its benefit for other people. Practicing self-compassion resulted in a larger increase in positive affect (time X condition: F[2, 748] = 6.46, p = .002, η_p² = .02), a larger decrease in negative affect (time X condition: F[2, 749] = 5.03, p = .007, η_p² = .01), and better perceptions of similar future events than control, F(2, 749) = 5.68, p = 0.004, η_p² = .02. Those in the values affirmation condition had a significant decrease in negative affect but were not significantly different from self-compassion or control on many outcomes. Those with average or higher financial hardship benefitted from self-compassion (vs. control) with respect to their perceptions of similar future events, R² = 0.05, F(5,674) = 7.33, p < 0.001, but these perceptions did not differ significantly between conditions at lower levels of financial hardship. Those with average or higher troublesome symptoms benefitted from self-compassion and values affirmation (vs. control) with respect to their perceptions of similar future events, R² = 0.10, F(5,746) = 16.73, p </em>< 0.001, but these perceptions did not differ between conditions at lower levels of troublesome symptoms. In sum, self-compassionate writing, and to a lesser extent values affirmation, was found to benefit workers’ well-being and future perceptions after a stressful work situation, in particular for those experiencing financial hardship and/or troublesome symptoms at work. These results may inform efforts aimed at promoting well-being at work.