The effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy on stress coping styles, self-criticism and emotion regulation of teachers of students with special needs during the Corona epidemic

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy on stress coping styles, self-criticism and emotion regulation of teachers of students with special needs during the Corona epidemic. The current research was experimental research with a single-subject design in terms of its practical purpose and method. The statistical population of the present study was made up of all the teachers of children with special needs in Bafaq city in the year 1400 in the number of 14 people, out of which 4 people were selected by available sampling method, who were divided into two experimental groups (2 people) and control ( 2 people), the people of the experimental group received 8 sessions of 90-minute compassion-focused therapy virtually (using WhatsApp). All of these individuals, during baseline, sessions 3, 6, and 8 (final session of the intervention), completed Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation of Andler and Parker (1991) Gross and John Emotion Strategies Questionnaire (2003), and self-critical questionnaire of Gilbert et al. (2004). Data analysis was done using percentage recovery index and graphical review of figures. The results showed that the subjects of the experimental group experienced an improvement of over 50% and a significant increase in the problem-oriented style and cognitive re-evaluation from the baseline stage to the end of the treatment. Also, the people of the experimental group experienced an improvement percentage of over 50 and a significant decrease in the emotion-oriented style, avoidance style, self-criticism and neuroscience. While the subjects of the control group did not have a significant increase or decrease in score during this period. Based on the results of the current research, it can be seen that the treatment focused on compassion is effective on the styles of coping with stress, self-criticism and emotion regulation of teachers of students with special needs during the corona epidemic and should be considered by counselors and psychologists in rehabilitation programs.