Stress fell in both groups, whether they used a digital program or a book
Among 200 adults in Germany, neither format had an advantage. Without a no-support group, it is unclear how much of the decrease was due to the support.
The key idea
Both formats accompanied a decrease in stress, with no apparent difference between them. Without a no-support group, it is unclear how much each contributed.
The study, in plain language
Self-compassion offers a less harsh way to respond to your own difficulties. To explore how people might learn it, the team randomly assigned adults in Germany to a guided digital program called Namah or a printed book, then asked about their stress at eight weeks and six months.
People in both groups reported less stress than at the start, with no apparent advantage for either format. Self-criticism also fell and self-compassion rose within the groups. Screen and paper followed a similar path, but without a no-support group it is impossible to say how much of these changes came from the formats. In addition, data were missing for more than four in ten participants at six months.
What they found
- Both formats, a guided digital program and a book, taught self-compassion: responding to difficulties with less self-criticism.
- Both groups reported less stress over time, but neither format had an apparent advantage.
- Self-criticism also fell and self-compassion rose, without a comparison group that received no support.
Something to think about
If someone offers you a digital program as better than a book, ask what comparison supports that advantage. Here, there was no apparent difference between screen and paper.
How they studied it
A trial randomly assigned 200 adults in Germany to a guided digital program or a self-compassion book. The analysis included 199 people. The team measured stress at the start, eight weeks, and six months.
What the study cannot show
- There was no wait-list or no-intervention group.
- Many responses were missing at follow-up, especially at the longer follow-up.
- The trial did not show that the program treats depression or anxiety or that it alone explains the changes.
The original study
A two-armed pragmatic randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of two self-compassion interventions at reducing perceived stress
Source under CC BY 4.0. English adaptation and explanation by PaperFlow, with AI assistance. The text has been reorganized for a general audience; it is not the complete paper and does not imply endorsement by its authors.
One study alone does not represent a field's consensus. Educational content does not replace professional advice. Report a possible error.
