A Self-compassion Intervention for LGBTQ+ Individuals

NCT06691282 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HE-RGC2024/NHS14
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 17
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

LGBTQ; Mental Health; Body Image; Self-Compassion

Keywords

LGBT; mental health; self-compassion; body image

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Self-compassion

  Self-compassion, will be measured with the Chinese version of the short version of self-compassion. It has 12 items, and each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1=almost never, 5= almost always). The total score ranged from 12 to 60, with the higher score indicating a higher level of self-compassion.

  Through study completion, on average 4 weeks

• Internalized stigma

  Internalized stigma will be measured by the Chinese version of the 9-item self-stigma scale, which assesses cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of internalized stigma. The nine items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree), with a higher score indicating a higher level of internalized stigma. The scale has shown excellent internal consistency in Chinese sexual minorities, with a Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.92 to 0.93.

  Through study completion, on average 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Body image

  Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

• Anxiety

  Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

• Depression

  Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

• Self-objectification

  Through study completion, on average 4 weeks

• self-esteem

  Through study completion, on average 4 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Self-compassion group

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Other: Mindful self-compassion intervention

Interventions

Mindful self-compassion intervention 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.

Self-compassion group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hong Kong Metropolitan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior

Study Officials

• Haixia Ma, PhD

  Hong Kong Metropolitan University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 11, 2024
• First Posted: November 15, 2024
• Study Start: December 21, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 30, 2025
• Study Completion: April 30, 2025
• Last Updated: May 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)