An interventional study of Compassion-Focused Writing Program and Reflective Writing Program in Psychological Well-being, Secondary Traumatic Stress and Occupational Stress, sponsored by Mersin University. Not yet recruiting. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-14.
Sponsored by Mersin University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of a web-based compassion-focused writing program and a reflective writing program on psychological well-being, self-compassion, postpartum trauma-related stress symptoms, and post-traumatic growth in midwives working in delivery rooms.
This study is planned as a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of two different writing-based interventions on psychological outcomes in midwives working in delivery rooms. During the childbirth process, midwives may occasionally witness traumatic events, which may lead to secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and various psychological difficulties. The literature indicates that expressive writing, reflective writing, and compassion-focused writing approaches contribute to individuals' ability to make sense of traumatic experiences, enhance emotional regulation skills, and support psychological well-being. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the effects of writing-based interventions that may support the psychological resilience of midwives. A total of 90 midwives who meet the inclusion criteria will be included in the study and randomly assigned to two groups using a computer-generated random number sequence. One group will receive a web-based compassion-focused writing program, while the other group will receive a web-based reflective writing program. Both programs will consist of five sessions conducted once per week via an online platform. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, Psychological Well-Being Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, City Birth Trauma Scale, and Post-Traumatic Growth Scale - Short Form. Measurements will be conducted before the intervention, immediately after the completion of the program, and during the follow-up period. Additionally, after each session, participants will complete a brief questionnaire to evaluate their writing experience. The collected data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to compare the effects of both writing programs on psychological well-being, self-compassion, post-traumatic growth, and trauma-related stress symptoms.
60 studies on the registry are indexed under Compassion Fatigue; 21 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 90 is above the median of 64 across 45 interventional studies indexed under Compassion Fatigue.
Browse Compassion Fatigue studies →Mersin University is the lead sponsor of 178 studies on the registry; 45 are open to participants now.
Compared within Compassion Fatigue, this study's primary condition as ClinicalTrials.gg classifies it; the registry's first condition term is Psychological Well-Being. The counts are of registry records indexed under each term, refreshed daily. How we classify →
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants assigned to this group will complete a five-week web-based compassion-focused writing program consisting of structured writing exercises aimed at enhancing self-compassion, increasing empathy, supporting emotional awareness, and strengthening coping skills related to challenging birth experiences. Sessions will be conducted once per week via an online platform.
Behavioral: Compassion-Focused Writing Program
Participants in this group will complete a five-week web-based reflective writing program consisting of structured writing exercises designed to encourage reflection on professional experiences, emotional responses, and thoughts related to delivery room practices. Sessions will be conducted once per week via an online platform.
Behavioral: Reflective Writing Program
The web-based compassion-focused writing program consists of five structured writing sessions designed to enhance self-compassion, empathy, emotional awareness, and coping skills related to challenging birth experiences.
The web-based reflective writing program consists of structured online writing exercises designed to facilitate reflective thinking, emotional expression, and self-awareness.
Psychological Well-Being
Participants' psychological well-being will be assessed using the Psychological Well-Being Scale developed by Diener et al. (2010) to measure socio-psychological well-being. The scale consists of 8 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("Strongly disagree") to 7 ("Strongly agree"). Total scores range from 8 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater psychological well-being and stronger psychological resources. The Turkish version of the scale demonstrated good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.80 (Telef, 2013).
Time frame: Within 24 hours before the intervention, within 24 hours after the intervention, and 6-8 weeks after the intervention
Self-Compassion
Participants' self-compassion will be assessed using the Self-Compassion Scale developed by Neff (2003). The scale measures individuals' levels of self-kindness, acceptance, and compassion toward themselves. The Turkish version consists of 24 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. It includes six subscales: self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, and over-identification. Total scores range from 24 to 120, with higher scores indicating greater self-compassion. The Turkish version demonstrated good reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.89 and a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.83 (Deniz, Kesici, \& Sümer, 2008).
Time frame: Within 24 hours before the intervention, within 24 hours after the intervention, and 6-8 weeks after the intervention
Birth-Related Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Participants' birth-related traumatic stress symptoms will be assessed using the City Birth Trauma Scale - Maternal Health Professional Version, developed by McInnes et al. (2025). The scale is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and is designed to assess birth-related traumatic stress symptoms among maternal healthcare professionals providing care during the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. Total PTSD symptom scores range from 0 (minimum) to 60 (maximum), with higher scores indicating more severe birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.The scale consists of 29 items, with higher total scores indicating more severe birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Time frame: Within 24 hours before the intervention and 6-8 weeks after the intervention
Posttraumatic Growth
Participants' posttraumatic growth will be assessed using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form, developed by Platte et al. (2023). The scale consists of 10 items rated on a 6-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater positive psychological growth following a traumatic or highly stressful experience. The original version demonstrated good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.88. The Turkish version also demonstrated good reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.81 (Türk et al., 2025).
Time frame: Within 24 hours before the intervention and 6-8 weeks after the intervention
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
Start is estimated for Oct 2026; primary completion for Nov 2026, 1 month later.
Of 27 interventional studies with no phase under Compassion Fatigue, half reached primary completion within 8 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 24. This study's planned 1 month is below that.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jul 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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