An Online Self-compassion Intervention for Anxiety and Depression in Fathers of Infants: A Feasibility Study

NCT ID: NCT07077759

Last Updated: 2026-01-21

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-10-01

Study Completion Date

2026-10-31

Brief Summary

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To investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of an online mindfulness and self-compassion intervention for the mental health in fathers experiencing paternal perinatal depression (PPD).

Detailed Description

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The pilot non-RCT will be assessed using an online survey and semi-structured individual interviews. Preliminary effectiveness measures include self-compassion, emotion regulation, resilience, parenting sense of competence, parental stress, marital satisfaction, insomnia, generalized anxiety, and PPD measured at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up. Mixed-effects models will test changes between groups, while directed content analysis will be employed for qualitative data.

Conditions

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Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

non-RCT with a waiting-list control group
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Online self-compassion intervention

Participants in the self-compassion group will receive five consecutive weekly sessions intervention.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Online self-compassion intervention

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants in the intervention group will receive five consecutive weekly sessions, with each session lasting 2 hours (totaling 10 hours). Each session will include an introduction, guided exercises, group discussions and home practice.

Control group

Participants in the waiting-list control group will receive the same training after the completion of the intervention at a 2-month follow-up.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Online self-compassion intervention

Participants in the intervention group will receive five consecutive weekly sessions, with each session lasting 2 hours (totaling 10 hours). Each session will include an introduction, guided exercises, group discussions and home practice.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* aged 18 years or above
* the biological father who is expecting or the biological father of infants within 24 months old
* experienced mild to moderate anxiety (5 ≤ GAD ≤14) or depression symptoms (5≤ PHQ ≤ 19)
* sufficient comprehension of Cantonese
* currently live in Hong Kong
* able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* currently experiencing psychosis
* having an intellectual disability
* experiencing current suicidal ideation
* participation in a similar study or received similar services in the past year
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Hong Kong Metropolitan University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Dr Polly MA Haixia

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Hong Kong, , Hong Kong

Site Status

Countries

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Hong Kong

Other Identifiers

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HE-RD/2025/1.8

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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