Can Self-Compassion Impact Relationship Satisfaction, Romantic Jealousy, and Willingness to Forgive? Findings of a brief virtual intervention

Abstract

 The aim of the study was to design and assess the effectiveness of a brief virtual intervention to enhance the selfcompassion levels of individuals, and examine its impact on Relationship Satisfaction, Willingness to Forgive, and Romantic Jealousy. The design involved a randomised controlled trial with an experimental group and a control group assessed both before and afier a week-long intervention. Data was collected online through four questionnaires. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling and comprised of 67 men and women (aged 18-24 years) involved in a heterosexual romantic relationship at the time of the study. The intervention was successful in enhancing the self-compassion levels of the individuals in the experimental group. The levels of relationship satisfaction of those in the experimental group were also significantly higher as compared to the control group, post the intervention. No significant inter-group differences were found with regards to the levels of romantic jealousy and willingness to forgive.