Paulo, M., Vagos, P., da Silva, D. R., Castilho, P., Soares, J., Sousa, R., ... & Rijo, D. (2025). Mindful Self-Compassion program adapted for professional caregivers of juvenile detention facilities: A pilot mixed-method study. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 38, 100955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100955
Working with youth placed at juvenile detention facilities is considered a demanding and challenging job. Research shows that professional caregivers responsible for these youth are more prone to burnout syndrome and other related psychopathological symptoms. Still, while there is encouraging evidence about using compassion-based interventions or mindfulness strategies to tackle those difficulties with professional caregivers from different settings, little is known about those interventions’ effects among professional caregivers of juvenile detention facilities. To overcome this gap, this pilot mixed-method study aimed to assess the impact of an adapted version of the Mindful Self-Compassion program among professionals working in Portuguese juvenile detention facilities (MSC_JFD). A Treatment Group (TG; n=14) and a Waitlist Control Group (WCG; n=18) were assessed at baseline and posttreatment with self-report measures on self-compassion, mindfulness, fears of compassion, and burnout symptoms. The TG also participated in a focus group after completing the program. Individual change scores were plotted to visualize variability in responses between participants. Quantitative data showed that, compared to WCG participants, TG participants decreased their fears of giving compassion – a pattern also reflected in the qualitative findings. No other significant between-group differences were found. However, qualitative findings suggested perceived improvements in self-compassion, mindfulness, and burnout symptoms among TG participants. These findings indicate that the adapted version of the MSC program may be a promising and useful approach to address mental health difficulties among professional caregivers of juvenile detention facilities.
To find the full text version of this article and other JCBS articles (as well as download a full text pdf.), ACBS members need to login and then access the JCBS ScienceDirect homepage here. Click here if you'd like to learn more about joining ACBS.