A Brief Self-compassion Intervention for Body Image, Minority Stress, and Sexual Self-efficacy in Hong Kong Gay Men

NCT07369661 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: HE-NHS2025/05M2025/06
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study aims to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a brief self-compassion writing intervention on body image, minority stress, and sexual self-efficacy among gay men in Hong Kong.

Conditions

Gay Men

Keywords

gay men; self-compassion; body image; mental health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• self-compassion

  Self-compassion will be measured using the 12-item short version of the self-compassion scale (SCS). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Almost Never) to 5 (Almost Always). The total score ranged from 12 to 60, with higher score indicating higher level of self-compassion.

  From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Sexuality-based stigma

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

• Internalized stigma

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

• anxiety

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

• self-esteem

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

• body objectification

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

Study Arms (2)

Self-compassion interventional group

EXPERIMENTAL

Interventional group will include 2.5 hour training and 3 weeks self-compassion writing exercise

Behavioral: Brief self-compassion intervention

Waiting-list control group

NO INTERVENTION

Waiting-list control group

Interventions

Brief self-compassion intervention BEHAVIORAL

Participants will be randomly allocated to the self-compassion group and the waiting list control group. The interveintion group will receive a 2.5 self-compassion training, and 3 week self-compassion writing exercise.

Self-compassion interventional group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: This study focuses on gay men.
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• aged 18 years or above
• self-identified as a gay man
• sufficient comprehension of Cantonese
• currently living in Hong Kong
• able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• currently experiencing psychosis
• having an intellectual disability
• experiencing current suicidal ideation
• not currently receiving or engaging in regular mental health services in the last 3 months
• participation in a similar study or receiving similar services in the past 12 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hong Kong Metropolitan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Haixia Ma, PhD

CONTACT

(852)39702990; phxma@hkmu.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: We will include a self-compassion intervention group and a waiting-list control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 18, 2026
• First Posted: January 27, 2026
• Study Start: April 27, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 28, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 28, 2027
• Last Updated: April 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

HK (1)