Eleni M. Patsakos ^1,2* Stuti Patel ^2,3 Robert Simpson ^4,5 Michelle L. Nelson ^6,7 Melanie Penner ^8,9 Laure Perrier ⁷ Mark T. Bayley ^2,5 Sarah Munce ^1,2

• ¹ Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• ² The KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• ³ University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• ⁴ School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
• ⁵ Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• ⁶ Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• ⁷ Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• ⁸ Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• ⁹ Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

To examine the scope of existing literature on the conceptualization, use, and outcomes associated with compassion in the care of youth with childhood-onset disabilities.: A protocol was developed based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review method. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EBSCOhost CINAHL, were searched.Results: Eight studies were selected for inclusion; four used quantitative methodology, and four used qualitative methods. Compassion was not defined a priori or a posteriori in any of the included studies. The concept of self-compassion was explicitly defined only for parents of youth with childhood-onset disabilities in three studies a priori. The most reported outcome measure was self-compassion in parents of youth with childhood-onset disabilities. Self-compassion among parents was associated with greater quality of life (QoL) and resiliency and lower stress, depression, shame and guilt.Discussion: There is limited evidence on the conceptualization, use, and outcomes associated with compassion among youth with childhood-onset disabilities. Self-compassion may be an effective internal coping process among parents of youth with childhood-onset disabilities. Further research is required to understand the meaning of compassion to youth with childhood-onset disabilities, their parents and caregivers.'What this paper adds' § The conceptualization of compassion or self-compassion among youth with childhoodonset disabilities was not discussed. § Compassion was not defined a priori or a posteriori in any of the included studies.COMPASSION IN YOUTH WITH CHILDHOOD-ONSET DISABILITIES 2 § Self-compassion was conceptualized by established definitions only for parents of youth with childhood-onset disabilities. § Several studies liberally used the terms 'compassion' and 'compassionate care'. § The Mindfulness-Based Positive Behavior Support program was significantly better at enhancing compassion satisfaction and reducing caregiver-perceived psychological stress.