Effects of ‘The Power of Self-Awareness’ on Stress and Self-Compassion

Abstract

Our main objective was to observe the effects of a two-day workshop on self-awareness, as taught by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) on an individual’s perceived stress and self-compassion by using a pre-post study design. Materials: An adapted version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), a shorter version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-12), and a self-reported questionnaire. Aim: The researchers hypothesized that participants’ post-test scores on the adapted PSS scale would be lower than the pre-test, indicating a reduced stress level. Additionally, participants’ post-test scores on the adapted SCS scale would be higher than the pre-test, indicating increased self-compassion. Procedures: Before attending the workshop, participants were asked to fill in the pre-test, which includes the adapted PSS and SCS scales; and after the workshop, participants were asked to fill in the post-test, which included the adapted PSS and SCS scales along with the self-reported questionnaire. Results: As hypothesized, participants’ post-test scores on the adapted PSS scale were lower than their pre-test scores, indicating lower stress, and participants’ post-test scores on the adapted SCS scale were higher than their pre-test scores, indicating higher self-compassion.