Effectiveness and Treatment Mechanism of Self-compassion in the Treatment of Depression in Korea: Systematic Literature Review

This study attempted to systematically examine the effects of self-compassion and treatment mechanisms in the treatment of depression in Korea through the literature of previous studies. The research method extracted keywords and contents related to depression and self-compassion from previous studies from 2008 to 2023. In the selected 24 documents, the general characteristics, effectiveness, and treatment mechanisms of self-compassion research in the treatment of depression in Korea were systematically analyzed. As a result, research that has been steadily conducted since 2008 in the distribution by pe1iod of research has increased significantly since 2020. The subjects of the study were mainly focused on adult studies, and there were no or insignificant studies on childhood, middle-aged men, and the elderly. Most of the research methods were quantitative, and qualitative, mixed, and literature studies were conducted with very little distribution. In addition, in the results of effectiveness and treatment mechanisms, there were improvements in depression, increased self-compassion, and positive life changes, and some studies identified obstacles to treatment. Finally, in the suggestions and follow-up studies, the necessity of self-compassion studies applying media to the treatment of depression in childhood, the necessity of follow-up studies on qualitative studies, and the need for additional studies on self-self-anxiety, a hindrance to treatment.