Effect of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention on Nursing Students

NCT07863297 — Not applicable, Not yet recruiting, 160 participants, Mersin University

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Effects of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention on Self-Compassion, Perceived Stress, and Mental Well-Being Among Nursing Students

Registry	NCT07863297
Status	Not yet recruiting
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; non randomized, parallel, masking: single, prevention
Enrollment	160 (Estimated)
Sponsor	Mersin University (Other)
Conditions	Perceived Stress, Mental Well-being, Self-Compassion Training, Self-Compassion
Interventions	Brief Self-Compassion Intervention (Behavioral)
Dates	start 2027-02-15 (estimated), primary completion 2027-05-31 (estimated), completion 2027-05-31 (estimated), first posted 2026-10-07, last updated 2026-10-07
Locations	1 site in Turkey (Türkiye)

-Summary

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.

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+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
Self-Compassion Intervention	Experimental	Behavioral: Brief Self-Compassion Intervention	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.
Control group	No intervention		Participants assigned to the control group will continue their usual educational activities throughout the study period and will receive no study-specific intervention.

Brief Self-Compassion Intervention (Behavioral): 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.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

Self-Compassion [Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention]: 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.

Secondary outcomes

Perceived Stress [Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention.]: 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.
Mental Well-Being [Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention.]: 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.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 45 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* First-year undergraduate nursing student.
* Aged 18 years or older.
* Willing to participate voluntarily in the study and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Not being a first-year undergraduate nursing student.
* Being younger than 18 years.
* Declining to participate or provide informed consent.

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
Mersin University	Mersin	Turkey (Türkiye)

+Investigators

Münevver Boğahan, Principal investigator, Mersin University