The Effect of Web-Based Compassion-Focused Structured Writing Programs on Well-Being in Midwives Working in Delivery Rooms

NCT07699887 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ZYildirim
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of a web-based compassion-focused writing program and a reflective writing program on psychological well-being, self-compassion, postpartum trauma-related stress symptoms, and post-traumatic growth in midwives working in delivery rooms.

Conditions

Psychological Well-being; Secondary Traumatic Stress; Occupational Stress

Keywords

Compassion-focused writing; Reflective writing; Midwife; Psychological well-being; Trauma

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Psychological Well-Being

  Participants' psychological well-being will be assessed using the Psychological Well-Being Scale developed by Diener et al. (2010) to measure socio-psychological well-being. The scale consists of 8 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("Strongly disagree") to 7 ("Strongly agree"). Total scores range from 8 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater psychological well-being and stronger psychological resources. The Turkish version of the scale demonstrated good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.80 (Telef, 2013).

  Within 24 hours before the intervention, within 24 hours after the intervention, and 6-8 weeks after the intervention

• Self-Compassion

  Participants' self-compassion will be assessed using the Self-Compassion Scale developed by Neff (2003). The scale measures individuals' levels of self-kindness, acceptance, and compassion toward themselves. The Turkish version consists of 24 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. It includes six subscales: self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, and over-identification. Total scores range from 24 to 120, with higher scores indicating greater self-compassion. The Turkish version demonstrated good reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.89 and a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.83 (Deniz, Kesici, \& Sümer, 2008).

  Within 24 hours before the intervention, within 24 hours after the intervention, and 6-8 weeks after the intervention

• Birth-Related Traumatic Stress Symptoms

  Participants' birth-related traumatic stress symptoms will be assessed using the City Birth Trauma Scale - Maternal Health Professional Version, developed by McInnes et al. (2025). The scale is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder and is designed to assess birth-related traumatic stress symptoms among maternal healthcare professionals providing care during the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. Total PTSD symptom scores range from 0 (minimum) to 60 (maximum), with higher scores indicating more severe birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.The scale consists of 29 items, with higher total scores indicating more severe birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

  Within 24 hours before the intervention and 6-8 weeks after the intervention

• Posttraumatic Growth

  Participants' posttraumatic growth will be assessed using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form, developed by Platte et al. (2023). The scale consists of 10 items rated on a 6-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater positive psychological growth following a traumatic or highly stressful experience. The original version demonstrated good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.88. The Turkish version also demonstrated good reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.81 (Türk et al., 2025).

  Within 24 hours before the intervention and 6-8 weeks after the intervention

Study Arms (2)

Compassion-Focused Writing Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this group will complete a five-week web-based compassion-focused writing program consisting of structured writing exercises aimed at enhancing self-compassion, increasing empathy, supporting emotional awareness, and strengthening coping skills related to challenging birth experiences. Sessions will be conducted once per week via an online platform.

Behavioral: Compassion-Focused Writing Program

Reflective Writing Program

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will complete a five-week web-based reflective writing program consisting of structured writing exercises designed to encourage reflection on professional experiences, emotional responses, and thoughts related to delivery room practices. Sessions will be conducted once per week via an online platform.

Behavioral: Reflective Writing Program

Interventions

Compassion-Focused Writing Program BEHAVIORAL

The web-based compassion-focused writing program consists of five structured writing sessions designed to enhance self-compassion, empathy, emotional awareness, and coping skills related to challenging birth experiences.

Compassion-Focused Writing Program

Reflective Writing Program BEHAVIORAL

The web-based reflective writing program consists of structured online writing exercises designed to facilitate reflective thinking, emotional expression, and self-awareness.

Reflective Writing Program

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Working as a midwife in a delivery room between November 1, 2025, and February 15, 2027
• Native Turkish speaker
• Female
• Aged between 18-65 years
• Having at least a bachelor's degree in midwifery
• Having at least three years of delivery room experience
• No diagnosed psychological or psychiatric disorder
• Having the technical infrastructure to use a web-based program
• Ability to use a smartphone, tablet, or computer
• Voluntary agreement to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Not working in a delivery room during the specified dates
• Not a native Turkish speaker
• Under 18 or over 65 years of age
• Male
• Changing clinical unit during the study
• Not completing all five intervention sessions
• Working less than 40 hours per week in the delivery room due to leave or reassignment
• Voluntary withdrawal from the study at any stage

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mersin University: lead

Related Publications (2)

• Uddin N, Ayers S, Khine R, Webb R. The perceived impact of birth trauma witnessed by maternity health professionals: A systematic review. Midwifery. 2022 Nov;114:103460. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2022.103460. Epub 2022 Aug 13.

  PMID: 36058189 RESULT

• Hajiesmaello M, Hajian S, Riazi H, Majd HA, Yavarian R. Secondary traumatic stress in iranian midwives: stimuli factors, outcomes and risk management. BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Jan 24;22(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-03707-7.

  PMID: 35073852 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being; Compassion Fatigue; Occupational Stress; Wounds and Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior; Mental Fatigue; Fatigue; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Stress, Psychological; Occupational Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Gözde Gökçe İsbir

CONTACT

+905057782319; gozdegokce@gmail.com

Zehra Yıldırım

CONTACT

+905464313760; ebezehrayldrm@gmail.com

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 7, 2026
• First Posted: July 13, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 15, 2027
• Last Updated: July 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share