An interventional study of Brief Self-Compassion Intervention Program (BSCIP) in Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Mental Health, sponsored by Ahmet Alkal. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 14 Years to 17 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-15.
Sponsored by Ahmet Alkal · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
This randomized controlled experimental study examined the effects of a brief self-compassion intervention program (BSCIP) on mental health outcomes among adolescents reporting four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
The study used a randomized controlled pre-test-post-test-follow-up design with a control group. Adolescents who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received a structured four-session BSCIP, while the control group did not receive any structured intervention during the study period.
The BSCIP was based on self-compassion theory and included psychoeducational content and experiential exercises focusing on self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity. The program was delivered in a school setting.
Outcome assessments were conducted at pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes included stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms, assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Secondary outcomes included self-compassion, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being, assessed using validated self-report measures. Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed analysis of variance.
This randomized controlled experimental study was designed to examine the effects of a brief self-compassion intervention program (BSCIP) on mental health outcomes among adolescents with four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Adverse childhood experiences are associated with various psychological difficulties during adolescence, including stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Self-compassion-based approaches have been proposed as a potential psychological resource in adolescent mental health and well-being.
The BSCIP is a structured, school-based psychological intervention based on self-compassion theory. The program consists of four sessions and includes psychoeducational content and experiential exercises focusing on self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity.
Participants who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received the four-session BSCIP, while the control group did not receive any structured intervention during the study period.
Outcome assessments were conducted at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes included stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms, measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Secondary outcomes included self-compassion, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being, measured using validated self-report scales.
The study was conducted in a school setting with adolescents aged 14-18 years who met the specified eligibility criteria. Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed analysis of variance to examine changes over time and differences between the intervention and control groups.
8,245 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression; 1,641 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 28 is below the median of 84 across 6,869 interventional studies indexed under Depression.
Browse Depression studies →This is the only study on the registry with Ahmet Alkal as lead sponsor.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Being enrolled in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade,
Exclusion Criteria:
Having received a diagnosis of any mental health disorder within the last year,
Participants in this group received a brief self-compassion intervention program (BSCIP) consisting of four structured sessions focusing on self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity.
Behavioral: Brief Self-Compassion Intervention Program (BSCIP)
Participants in the control group did not receive any structured psychological intervention during the study period.
The Brief Self-Compassion Intervention Program (BSCIP) is a structured, school-based psychological intervention consisting of four sessions. The program is based on self-compassion theory and includes psychoeducational content and experiential exercises designed to enhance self-kindness, mindfulness, and a sense of common humanity. The intervention aims to improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, and strengthen psychological well-being in adolescents with adverse childhood experiences.
Stress symptoms
Stress symptoms were measured using the Stress subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately after the intervention (post-test), and 3-month follow-up
Anxiety symptoms
Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Anxiety subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention (post-test), and 3-month follow-up
Depressive symptoms
Depressive symptoms were measured using the Depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention (post-test), and 3-month follow-up
Self-compassion
Self-compassion was measured using the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention (post-test), and 3-month follow-up
Life satisfaction
Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention (post-test), and 3-month follow-up
Psychological well-being
Psychological well-being was measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention (post-test), and 3-month follow-up
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to the sensitive nature of the dataset, which includes adolescent participants and information related to adverse childhood experiences. Data will be reported in aggregate form to protect participant confidentiality and comply with ethical approval requirements.
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 ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.