Gay MenNCT07369661
A Brief Self-compassion Intervention for Body Image, Minority Stress, and Sexual Self-efficacy in Hong Kong Gay Men
A study testing Brief self-compassion intervention in people with Gay Men, run by Hong Kong Metropolitan University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Gay Men
- What is being tested?
- Brief self-compassion intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 27 Apr 2026to 28 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
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.
Read the detailed description
Gay men experience greater body dissatisfaction, a stronger drive for muscularity, and heightened body image concerns compared to their heterosexual counterparts. These issues contribute to minority stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and engagement in risky sexual behaviors. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, we aim 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
- Being tested
- Brief self-compassion intervention
- Keywords
- gay men, self-compassion, body image, mental health
- Medical subject headings
- Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Brief self-compassion interventionBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Self-compassion interventional group | Experimental | Interventional group will include 2.5 hour training and 3 weeks self-compassion writing exercise Receives: Behavioral: Brief self-compassion intervention |
| Waiting-list control group | No intervention | Waiting-list control group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month
Secondary outcomes (8)
Sexuality-based stigma
Sexuality-based stigma will be measured by the 10-item Chinese men sex with men (MSM) Stigma Scale. Items are rated on a four-point Likert scale from 1 (never) to 4 (many times). The total score ranges from 10 to 40, with higher score indicating higher level of sexuality-based stigma.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
Internalized stigma
Internalized stigma will be measured with the 5-item revised internalized homophobia scale (IHP-R). Items are measured on a five-point Likert scale between 1 (Strongly Disagree) and 5 (Strongly Agree). The total score ranges from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicate greater internalized stigma.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
anxiety
Anxiety symptoms will be measured using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher total scores indicating higher levels of anxiety symptoms
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
self-esteem
The 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) will be used to measured self-esteem. Items will be rated on a 4-point Liker scale (1 = Strongly agree, 4 = Strongly disagree). The total score ranges from 10 to 40, with higher score indicating higher level of self-esteem.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
body objectification
Self-objectification will be measured using the Chinese version of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) - body-surveillance subscale. It consists of eight items rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree). The total score ranges from 7 to 56, with a higher score indicating a higher level of body surveillance.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
sexual self-efficacy
The 14-item Condom Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) will be used to measurement participants' sexual self-efficacy. Items will be measured on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (very unsure) to 5 (very sure). The total score ranging from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicated a higher level of condom use efficacy.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
Body shame
Body shame will be measured using the Chinese version of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) - body shame subscale (McKinley \& Hyde, 1996). It consists of six items rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree), with a higher score indicating a higher level of body shame.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month
Depression
Depression will be measured using the Chinese version of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher total scores indicating higher levels of depressive symptoms.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jan 2026
- Study start27 Apr 2026
- Primary completion28 Jul 2026
- Study completion28 Aug 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Gay MenStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- We will include a self-compassion intervention group and a waiting-list control group.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hong Kong Metropolitan University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dr Polly MA Haixia, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07369661
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HE-NHS2025/05
- Other IDs
- M2025/06
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 31 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Brief Self-compassion Intervention for Body Image, Minority Stress, and Sexual Self-efficacy in Hong Kong Gay Men
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07369661
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HE-NHS2025/05
- Conditions
- Gay Men
- Keywords
- gay men, self-compassion, body image, mental health
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hong Kong Metropolitan UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 27 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 28 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 28 Aug 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
Gay men experience greater body dissatisfaction, a stronger drive for muscularity, and heightened body image concerns compared to their heterosexual counterparts. These issues contribute to minority stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and engagement in risky sexual behaviors. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, we aim 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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- We will include a self-compassion intervention group and a waiting-list control group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Self-compassion interventional group | Experimental | Behavioral: Brief self-compassion interventionInterventional group will include 2.5 hour training and 3 weeks self-compassion writing exercise |
| Waiting-list control group | No intervention | –Waiting-list control group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Brief self-compassion interventionParticipants 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. | Behavioural | Self-compassion interventional group |
Primary outcome
self-compassion
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month
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.
8 secondary outcomes
Sexuality-based stigma
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
Internalized stigma
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
anxiety
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
self-esteem
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
body objectification
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
sexual self-efficacy
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month
Body shame
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month
Depression
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Brief self-compassion intervention in people with Gay Men, run by Hong Kong Metropolitan University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Hong Kong. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
self-compassion (time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Aug 2026.