Embracing Self-Compassion: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of Community Health Workers Providing Basic Psychosocial Support in an Urban Setting

This qualitative study delves into the lived experiences of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in the Philippines, specifically focusing on their practice of self-compassion while navigating personal psychosocial concerns. In the Philippines, little research has sought to explore self-compassion among these community health workers and how it may foster caring for themselves. While the concept of self-compassion has gained significant attention in Western psychology, its application and understanding within the unique cultural context of the Philippines remain largely unexplored. The study employs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to understand how these frontline healthcare providers, who often provide psychosocial support to others, practice self-compassion. Nine community health workers from a public health center comprised the study population. The results of the study demonstrate the significant role of self-compassion in the well-being of community health workers (CHWs) providing psychosocial support. Findings highlight the importance of self-awareness, self-kindness, and resilience, interwoven with spirituality and a balance of social connection and solitude, in navigating personal and professional challenges. The CHWs' experiences underscore the value of self-compassion in fostering both personal and professional resilience. The findings contribute to a growing body of literature on self- compassion, particularly within the context of healthcare and mental health. Furthermore, the study offers valuable insights into the cultural nuances of self-compassion within the Filipino context, emphasizing the role of spirituality and family in fostering a sense of self-acceptance and resilience. In addition, the findings of the study stress the need to take cultural context into account while studying psychological concepts such as self-compassion, demonstrating the link between individual well-being, and social and spiritual dimensions. The study's findings have implications for the development of training programs and support systems aimed at enhancing self-compassion among CHWs, ultimately contributing to their well-being and the quality of care they provide.