Compassionate mind training to support the emotional wellbeing of autistic adolescents: a pilot study

Adolescence is a complex transitional period of physiological, cognitive, and neurological maturation. During this time, adolescents may experience social, environmental and economic pressures which can have a negative impact on wellbeing. For Autistic adolescents, stressors may be intensified due to additional challenges associated with having a neurodevelopmental difference, including difficulties with social interaction and emotional regulation. The current pilot study explored the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) as a school-based intervention for supporting emotional wellbeing among Autistic adolescents attending post-primary Specialist Provision in Mainstream (SPiM) classes. The study explored the effects of CMT on participants’ anxiety, self-esteem, wellbeing, and self-compassion. A total of 50 participants were recruited and quasi-randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=30) and control group (n=20) who attended classes as usual. Data was collected at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and approximately three months following the intervention’s completion. CMT was found to be logistically feasible and enjoyable for Autistic adolescents, however, overall findings from the linear mixed-effects models indicated that CMT did not produce significant changes over time compared to the control group across the emotional outcomes measured. This study offers valuable practice-based evidence highlighting the strengths and challenges associated with the use of CMT for supporting the emotional wellbeing of Autistic adolescents attending a SPiM. Implications for future research and Educational Psychology practice are discussed.