Digital Self-Compassion Writing Intervention to Support Mental Health of Parents of Autistic Individuals

NCT ID: NCT07347717

Last Updated: 2026-01-16

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 240 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-12-16
• Study Completion Date: 2026-02-05

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a digital self-compassion writing intervention for parents of autistic individuals. Participants will engage in a 14-day self-compassion writing program delivered via a WeChat mini-program. The study seeks to answer the following questions:

• Is the study design and digital self-compassion writing intervention feasible and acceptable for parents of autistic individuals?
• Does the intervention lead to greater improvements in self-compassion and mental health outcomes compared to the control group?
• Do baseline characteristics moderate the intervention effect compared to the control group?
• Among intervention participants, do satisfaction and usage patterns predict greater improvements in outcomes?
• Does improvement in self-compassion mediate changes in mental health outcomes?

Conditions

Mental Health

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Self-compassion writing group

This digital intervention is a 14-day writing program delivered via a WeChat mini-program. Each day, participants complete a two-step writing task: (1) mindfully describe an event and their feelings, and (2) support themselves with self-kindness. Daily reminders are sent to encourage engagement. Each session takes approximately 5 minutes. The program is tailored for parents of autistic individuals to provide a brief, low-cost mental health support option for chronically stressed caregivers.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Self-compassion writing group

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

This digital intervention is a 14-day writing program delivered via a WeChat mini-program. Each day, participants complete a two-step writing task: (1) mindfully describe an event and their feelings, and (2) support themselves with self-kindness. Daily reminders are sent to encourage engagement. Each session takes approximately 5 minutes. The program is tailored for parents of autistic individuals to provide a brief, low-cost mental health support option for chronically stressed caregivers.

Control group

Participants in the control group use the same mini-program for 14 days but complete factual writing tasks. They are instructed to recall their day and describe events objectively, without emotional content or cognitive reframing. This controls for time, attention, and writing activity.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Control group (placebo)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the control group use the same mini-program for 14 days but complete factual writing tasks. They are instructed to recall their day and describe events objectively, without emotional content or cognitive reframing. This controls for time, attention, and writing activity.

Interventions

Self-compassion writing group

This digital intervention is a 14-day writing program delivered via a WeChat mini-program. Each day, participants complete a two-step writing task: (1) mindfully describe an event and their feelings, and (2) support themselves with self-kindness. Daily reminders are sent to encourage engagement. Each session takes approximately 5 minutes. The program is tailored for parents of autistic individuals to provide a brief, low-cost mental health support option for chronically stressed caregivers.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Control group (placebo)

Participants in the control group use the same mini-program for 14 days but complete factual writing tasks. They are instructed to recall their day and describe events objectively, without emotional content or cognitive reframing. This controls for time, attention, and writing activity.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• are parents of individuals with either a formal autism diagnosis or a provisional diagnosis from a medical institution
• are living with the autistic individual
• are aged 18 years or older
• regularly use WeChat
• are willing to commit to the study procedure

Exclusion Criteria

• current experience of acute mental health issues (e.g., severe depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies)
• undergoing serious health crises (e.g., undergoing major surgery or diagnosed with a life-threatening illness)
• pregnancy

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Macau

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Peilian Chi

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

University of Macau

Taipa, , Macau

Countries

Macau

Other Identifiers

MYRG-GRG2024-00269-FSS

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id