For most people, research supports the effectiveness of talking to an Active Listener when compared to talking with a professional therapist:
Comparative effectiveness of paraprofessional and professional helpers. By Durlak, Joseph A. Psychological Bulletin, Vol 86(1), Jan 1979, 80-92. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.86.1.80 Results: The outcome and adequacy of design in 42 studies comparing the effectiveness of professional and paraprofessional helpers are reviewed. Findings indicate that professional mental health education, training, and experience do not appear to be necessary prerequisites for an effective helping person. In fact, non-professionals appear to achieve clinical outcomes equal to or significantly better than those obtained by professionals.
Comparative effectiveness of professional and paraprofessional helpers. Hattie, John A.; Sharpley, Christopher F.; Rogers, H. Jane Psychological Bulletin, Vol 95(3), May 1984, 534-541. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.95.3.534 Results: Effect sizes based on 154 comparisons from 39 studies show that clients who sought help from non-professionals were more likely to achieve resolution of their problem than those who consulted professionals.
Does professional training make a therapist more effective? By Berman, Jeffrey S.; Norton, Nicholas C. Psychological Bulletin, Vol 98(2), Sep 1985, 401-407. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.98.2.401 Results: Unlike Hattie et al, the present authors found that professional and paraprofessional therapists were generally equal in effectiveness. Current research evidence does not indicate that paraprofessionals are more effective, but neither does it reveal any substantial superiority for the professionally trained therapist.
The flat earth as a metaphor for the evidence for uniform efficacy of bona fide psychotherapies: Reply to Crits-Christoph (1997) and Howard et al. (1997). Wampold, Bruce E.; Mondin, Gregory W.; Moody, Marcia; Ahn, Hyun-nie Psychological Bulletin, Vol 122(3), Nov 1997, 226-230. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.122.3.226 Results: On the basis of a meta-analysis of comparisons of bona fide psychotherapies, B. E. Wampold et al. (1997) concluded that the available evidence supported the notion that all psychotherapies are nearly equal in terms of efficacy.
- Hamilton, D. R. (2018). Can kindness boost the immune system? Dr. David Hamilton. https://
drdavidhamilton.com/can- kindness-boost-the-immune- system/ In a study conducted at Harvard University, 132 students watched a video of Mother Teresa performing acts of compassion. Salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels, a marker of immune function, were measured before, immediately after, and one hour post-viewing. Results showed a significant increase in sIgA levels, which remained elevated for an hour, indicating that witnessing acts of compassion can enhance immune function. - Rakel, D. P., Hoeft, T. J., Barrett, B. P., Chewning, B. A., Craig, B. M., & Niu, M. (2009). Practitioner empathy and the duration of the common cold. Family Medicine, 41(7), 494–501. https://www.
researchgate.net/publication/ 26652362_Practitioner_Empathy_ and_the_Duration_of_the_ Common_Cold In a randomized controlled trial involving 350 patients with the common cold, those who rated their physician’s empathy as “perfect” (a score of 50 on the Consultation and Relational Empathy [CARE] scale) experienced a shorter duration of illness (mean of 7.10 days vs. 8.01 days) and reduced severity of symptoms. Additionally, these patients exhibited a more significant increase in interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels, an immune cytokine, suggesting enhanced immune response. - Bellosta-Batalla, M., et al. (2017). Increased Salivary IgA Response as an Indicator of Immunocompetence Following a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion-Based Intervention. https://self-
compassion.org/wp-content/ uploads/2018/05/Bellosta- Batalla2017.pdfSelf-Compassion This study analyzed the effects of a mindfulness and self-compassion-based intervention on self-reported health, salivary cortisol (Csal), and sIgA levels. Participants who engaged in brief exercises cultivating feelings of care and compassion for just 5 minutes experienced a 50% increase in sIgA levels, indicating a significant boost in immune function. - HeartMath Institute. (2014). The Physiological and Psychological Effects of Compassion and Anger. https://www.heartmath.
org/research/research-library/ basic/physiological-and- psychological-effects-of- compassion-and-anger/ This study demonstrated that participants who practiced self-induced compassion using the Freeze-Frame® technique for five minutes experienced an immediate increase in sIgA levels. This effect was comparable to that observed when participants watched a video of Mother Teresa performing acts of kindness, highlighting the potential of brief compassion-focused exercises to enhance immune function. - Eriksson, T., et al. (2018). Mindful Self-Compassion Training Reduces Stress and Burnout Symptoms Among Practicing Psychologists: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Web-Based Intervention. https://self-
compassion.org/wp-content/ uploads/2024/07/Eriksson2018. pdfSelf-Compassion This pilot study examined a 6-week workplace mindfulness and self-compassion-based intervention (MSCBI) and found significant increases in sIgA levels among participants. The MSCBI group showed a substantial improvement in immune function, with sIgA levels rising from 7.44 to 14.4 µg/mL after the first session and from 5.09 to 13.7 µg/mL after the last session, indicating that sustained practice can lead to measurable improvements in immune function.
These studies collectively highlight that the experience or observation of compassion practices can lead to measurable improvements in immune function, underscoring the potential health benefits of such experiences.
Please Note: Active Listening League is not designed to deal with serious medical or psychological conditions and we strongly urge anyone experiencing such conditions to seek the help of a professional immediately.