Research Question 2B inquires about the benefits of the intervention, and specifically, whether or not it lead to changes in self-compassion, body-related self- compassion, and eating disorder symptoms. All participants (n = 4) agreed that the intervention helped them better understand the concept of self-compassion. Comments included:
• It taught me a lot of things about self-compassion, and, like, believing in myself. I do that now. Instead of worrying about things, I just think about the good side of things. And like, now I know what self-bullying is and the bad things it can do. And now I know, like, if I do self-bullying, this will happen, but if I use self-compassion, then these good things can happen.
• It kind of changed the way I thought about self-esteem versus self-compassion and self-love. So it made it more applicable, rather than being like really fake or fluffy. So I found it easier to actually, like, put it in place than when I didn’t know that much about it, and it was just like, “Oh, you’re supposed to like
yourself,” which is, like, way harder if you just say it like that without any instruction.
• I think it did help. I mean, I always thought I shouldn’t be too hard on myself. But I never really thought about it, like, in this much detail. I just thought, like, whatever, just move on. But now I have different kinds of exercises that can help me. And I feel like, I’m not great at it yet, but I think it can help me more as I practice it more.
When asked directly whether the intervention helped them get better at using self-compassion, all participants (n = 4) agreed that it did but also described self-
compassion as a work in progress, indicating that they still have room for improvement. Comments included:
• It did help. I mean, obviously I still need a lot of work on it, but it’s helped me a lot I think. Mostly, it became easier to notice self-bullying, and then try to find the middle with self-kindness.
• Just knowing how to actually, like, put it in place. Like even knowing just what it was was really important. But then also getting the strategies for how to use it and put it in place.
When asked generally about the benefits they experienced as a result of the intervention, three participants (n = 3) offered that they have become more aware of their inner self-talk, especially noticing negative self-talk and the need for self-compassion in response. Comments included:
• It made me, like, think more. Like, I didn’t really think about that kind of stuff a lot. Like, when it comes to emotions, like, everyday I feel emotions but I don’t, like, really realize what I’m feeling. And also what I’m thinking. It made me more aware of what I’m actually thinking and, like, what I can do to stop bad thoughts.
• The workshop made me realize, like, how many of those behaviours I actually did. Like, I never really thought that I was that mean to myself because I just believed my negative thoughts were true. So I wasn’t really, like, being mean to myself, it was just the way it was. Now I see how ridiculous that type of thinking is!
All participants agreed that the intervention has helped them engage in less self- bullying. Comments included:
• I think it helped me be less hard on myself and helped me be more positive on the ice. It helped me not dwell on things.
• I’m slowly starting to do less self-bullying. But also like, I just catch it a lot faster. Like, before, one negative thought could turn into like ten more negative thoughts, whereas now, I can look at this one thought and think, “This is kind of ridiculous.” And kind of like throw that thought out and replace it with something more positive, instead of like letting it just go on and on and snowball into something bigger.
Participants were asked whether the intervention improved their body image and/or eating habits. None of the participants endorsed changes in eating habits. In terms of body image, one participant reported no changes in her body image and explained that her body image has always been positive. Three participants (n = 3) reported some improvement in their body image, but also acknowledged room for improvement in their body image. Comments included:
• I think it did help a little bit. Maybe not a lot, just because I think it’s something we have to practice. Like, even just knowing that it’s something everybody deals with. Because sometimes you feel so alone in that. Like you look at other people and think like, “I don’t look as good as her.” But she is looking at someone else and thinking the same thing. I think that was helpful. And I think realizing how much of my body image was self-bullying, I think that was helpful.
Participants were asked about any other ways in which they felt the intervention was helpful. Responses identified spontaneously by participants included decreased anxiety (n = 3), decreased performance anxiety (n = 2), increased quality of life (n = 1), and improved coping with setbacks (n = 1). Comments included:
• It helped me worry less. Because I worry about a lot! Especially on the ice. So I feel like this helped a lot for me to let go of what I didn’t do so well, and just move on and do something even better.
• Before I compete now, I always think about taking deep breaths. And it always just like, calms me down. I found that really helped for me.
• I feel more chill now. Although sometimes I’m still uptight! But like, it’s helped me a lot. I just feel like when I’m more relaxed, I can get more done and kind of live my life.
• It’s helped me not just as an athlete, but I think also as just a human being. Just being able to like yourself, even when you’re not successful, or when you’re not achieving some of your goals.