An interventional study of Brief Self-Compassion Intervention in Perceived Stress, Mental Well-being and Self-Compassion Training, sponsored by Mersin University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-07.
Sponsored by Mersin University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Nursing students may experience considerable stress related to academic demands, clinical training, adaptation to university life, and concerns about professional competence. First-year nursing students may be particularly affected as they adjust to both university education and the nursing profession.
Self-compassion refers to responding to personal difficulties, failures, or stressful experiences with kindness, understanding, and a balanced awareness rather than harsh self-criticism. Previous research suggests that self-compassion may support stress management and psychological well-being, and that self-compassion skills can be developed through structured interventions.
This study will evaluate the effects of a brief self-compassion intervention among first-year nursing students. The intervention consists of two weekly, 90-minute face-to-face group sessions that include education and guided self-compassion practices. The study will examine whether the intervention is associated with changes in self-compassion, perceived stress, and mental well-being. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and six weeks after completion of the intervention.
The findings may provide information about the potential usefulness of a brief self-compassion intervention for supporting the psychological well-being of nursing students.
971 studies on the registry are indexed under Psychological Well-Being; 502 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 160 is above the median of 116 across 830 interventional studies indexed under Psychological Well-Being.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive a structured brief self-compassion intervention delivered by the researcher. The intervention consists of two weekly 90-minute face-to-face group sessions. Guided audio recordings prepared by the researcher will be provided between sessions to support continued practice of the techniques introduced during the intervention and to promote standardized delivery. No audio or video recordings of participants will be collected. Post-intervention assessments will be conducted upon completion of the intervention.
Behavioral: Brief Self-Compassion Intervention
Participants assigned to the control group will continue their usual educational activities throughout the study period and will receive no study-specific intervention.
The intervention is based on the structured self-compassion program developed by Neff and Germer (2013) and consists of two weekly 90-minute group sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation on compassion and self-compassion, with a focus on the core components of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Participants practice soothing touch, the self-compassion break, and compassionate breathing meditation. The second session includes a review of home practice followed by Metta (loving-kindness) meditation and compassionate friend meditation. Group reflection and sharing are incorporated into both sessions. Between sessions, participants are encouraged to practice the techniques using audio recordings provided by the researcher. The intervention is designed to foster self-compassion, support stress management, and promote mental well-being.
Self-Compassion
Self-compassion will be assessed using the 12-item Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-compassion.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention
Perceived Stress
Perceived stress will be assessed using the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Items are rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention.
Mental Well-Being
Mental well-being will be assessed using the 7-item Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicating higher levels of mental well-being.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. Study findings will be reported and published only in aggregate form, without information that could identify individual participants.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Mersin University