A Self-compassion Intervention for LGBTQ+ Individuals

NCT ID: NCT06691282

Last Updated: 2025-05-11

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 17 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-12-21
• Study Completion Date: 2025-04-30

Brief Summary

Gender and sexual minorities often face minority stress, leading to body dissatisfaction and potential psychological issues like anxiety and depression. Self-compassion has been identified as an effective strategy for managing emotions during negative experiences and may serve as a protective factor against minority stress and body image concerns. However, research on self-compassion interventions specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals is limited. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a self-compassion intervention to enhance body image and psychological well-being among LGBTQ+ individuals in Hong Kong.

Detailed Description

Gender and sexual minorities often experience minority stress, which could lead to negative thoughts and feelings of their bodies. The substantial body dissatisfaction may contribute to psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. Self-compassion has emerged as an adaptive methods for regulating emotions in response to negative experience and perceived personal failures. Research indicates that self-compassion could act as protective factors of sexual minority stress and body image concerns. However, there is currently a lack of studies investigating the effectiveness of the self-compassion based intervention in improving body image and psychological outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals.

The proposed study aims to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a self-compassion intervention for body image and psychological well-being among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals in Hong Kong.

Conditions

LGBTQ; Mental Health; Body Image; Self-Compassion

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Self-compassion group

Participants in the intervention group will receive 6 weeks self-compassion training.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Mindful self-compassion intervention

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will receive six weekly sessions of training by a trainer in mindful self-compassion (MSC). Each session lasting around 90 minutes and will be conducted face-to-face at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University. The content of the intervention will include an introduction of mindfulness and self-compassion, practice of body awareness and loving kindness, skills to deal with challenging experiences, and methods for relating to positive aspects of the self.

Interventions

Mindful self-compassion intervention

Participants will receive six weekly sessions of training by a trainer in mindful self-compassion (MSC). Each session lasting around 90 minutes and will be conducted face-to-face at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University. The content of the intervention will include an introduction of mindfulness and self-compassion, practice of body awareness and loving kindness, skills to deal with challenging experiences, and methods for relating to positive aspects of the self.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged 18 years or above;
• Self-identified as LGBTQ+;
• Able to speak, read, and write Cantonese or Putonghua;
• Willing to participate in the study and share their experience of the intervention with the research team;
• Provide written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

• Current psychosis or intellectual disability;
• Current suicidal ideation with intent (score ≥ 4) as measured using the Columbia suicide severity rating scale;
• Participation in similar studies.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Dr Polly MA Haixia

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Haixia Ma, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Locations

School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Hong Kong, , Hong Kong

Countries

Hong Kong

Other Identifiers

HE-RGC2024/NHS14

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id