Perceived StressNCT07863297
Effect of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention on Nursing Students
A study testing Brief Self-Compassion Intervention in people with Perceived Stress and Mental Well-being, run by Mersin University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Nursing students may experience considerable stress related to academic demands, clinical training, adaptation to university life, and concerns about professional competence. First-year nursing students may be particularly affected as they adjust to both university education and the nursing profession. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Perceived Stress, Mental Well-being, Self-Compassion Training
- 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
- 160 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Feb 2027to 31 May 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 to 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- First-year undergraduate nursing student.
- Aged 18 years or older.
- Willing to participate voluntarily in the study and provide informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Not being a first-year undergraduate nursing student.
- Being younger than 18 years.
- Declining to participate or provide informed consent.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Mersin University
Mersin
Münevver Boğahan, Dr. Research Assistant, +90 324 361 00 01/14232, munevverbghn@mersin.edu.tr
Münevver Boğahan, Dr. Research Assistant
About this study
Official title: Effects of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention on Self-Compassion, Perceived Stress, and Mental Well-Being Among Nursing Students
Nursing students may experience considerable stress related to academic demands, clinical training, adaptation to university life, and concerns about professional competence. First-year nursing students may be particularly affected as they adjust to both university education and the nursing profession.
Self-compassion refers to responding to personal difficulties, failures, or stressful experiences with kindness, understanding, and a balanced awareness rather than harsh self-criticism. Previous research suggests that self-compassion may support stress management and psychological well-being, and that self-compassion skills can be developed through structured interventions.
Read more
This study will evaluate the effects of a brief self-compassion intervention among first-year nursing students. The intervention consists of two weekly, 90-minute face-to-face group sessions that include education and guided self-compassion practices. The study will examine whether the intervention is associated with changes in self-compassion, perceived stress, and mental well-being. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and six weeks after completion of the intervention.
The findings may provide information about the potential usefulness of a brief self-compassion intervention for supporting the psychological well-being of nursing students.
- Being tested
- Brief Self-Compassion Intervention
- Keywords
- Self-compassion, Self-compassion training, Mental well-being, Perceived stress
- 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
The intervention is based on the structured self-compassion program developed by Neff and Germer (2013) and consists of two weekly 90-minute group sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation on compassion and self-compassion, with a focus on the core components of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Participants practice soothing touch, the self-compassion break, and compassionate breathing meditation. The second session includes a review of home practice followed by Metta (loving-kindness) meditation and compassionate friend meditation. Group reflection and sharing are incorporated into both sessions. Between sessions, participants are encouraged to practice the techniques using audio recordings provided by the researcher. The intervention is designed to foster self-compassion, support stress management, and promote mental well-being.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Compassion Intervention | Experimental | Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive a structured brief self-compassion intervention delivered by the researcher. The intervention consists of two weekly 90-minute face-to-face group sessions. Guided audio recordings prepared by the researcher will be provided between sessions to support continued practice of the techniques introduced during the intervention and to promote standardized delivery. No audio or video recordings of participants will be collected. Post-intervention assessments will be conducted upon completion of the intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Brief Self-Compassion Intervention |
| Control group | No intervention | Participants assigned to the control group will continue their usual educational activities throughout the study period and will receive no study-specific intervention. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Self-Compassion
Self-compassion will be assessed using the 12-item Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-compassion.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention
Secondary outcomes (2)
Perceived Stress
Perceived stress will be assessed using the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Items are rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived stress.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention.
Mental Well-Being
Mental well-being will be assessed using the 7-item Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale, with higher scores indicating higher levels of mental well-being.
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Oct 2026
- Study start15 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 May 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 May 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Perceived StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Mersin UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mersin University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Munevver Bogahan, Mersin University
- Investigators
- Münevver Boğahan, Principal investigator, Mersin University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07863297
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MEU-NURS-2026-01
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. Study findings will be reported and published only in aggregate form, without information that could identify individual participants.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention on Self-Compassion, Perceived Stress, and Mental Well-Being Among Nursing Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07863297
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MEU-NURS-2026-01
- Keywords
- Self-compassion, Self-compassion training, Mental well-being, Perceived stress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Mersin UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 Oct 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.
Nursing students may experience considerable stress related to academic demands, clinical training, adaptation to university life, and concerns about professional competence. First-year nursing students may be particularly affected as they adjust to both university education and the nursing profession.
Self-compassion refers to responding to personal difficulties, failures, or stressful experiences with kindness, understanding, and a balanced awareness rather than harsh self-criticism. Previous research suggests that self-compassion may support stress management and psychological well-being, and that self-compassion skills can be developed through structured interventions.
This study will evaluate the effects of a brief self-compassion intervention among first-year nursing students. The intervention consists of two weekly, 90-minute face-to-face group sessions that include education and guided self-compassion practices. The study will examine whether the intervention is associated with changes in self-compassion, perceived stress, and mental well-being. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and six weeks after completion of the intervention.
The findings may provide information about the potential usefulness of a brief self-compassion intervention for supporting the psychological well-being of nursing students.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Compassion Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Brief Self-Compassion InterventionParticipants assigned to the intervention group will receive a structured brief self-compassion intervention delivered by the researcher. The intervention consists of two weekly 90-minute face-to-face group sessions. Guided audio recordings prepared by the researcher will be provided between sessions to support continued practice of the techniques introduced during the intervention and to promote standardized delivery. No audio or video recordings of participants will be collected. Post-intervention assessments will be conducted upon completion of the intervention. |
| Control group | No intervention | –Participants assigned to the control group will continue their usual educational activities throughout the study period and will receive no study-specific intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- First-year undergraduate nursing student.
- Aged 18 years or older.
- Willing to participate voluntarily in the study and provide informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Not being a first-year undergraduate nursing student.
- Being younger than 18 years.
- Declining to participate or provide informed consent.
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 InterventionThe intervention is based on the structured self-compassion program developed by Neff and Germer (2013) and consists of two weekly 90-minute group sessions. The first session includes psychoeducation on compassion and self-compassion, with a focus on the core components of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Participants practice soothing touch, the self-compassion break, and compassionate breathing meditation. The second session includes a review of home practice followed by Metta (loving-kindness) meditation and compassionate friend meditation. Group reflection and sharing are incorporated into both sessions. Between sessions, participants are encouraged to practice the techniques using audio recordings provided by the researcher. The intervention is designed to foster self-compassion, support stress management, and promote mental well-being. | Behavioural | Self-Compassion Intervention |
Primary outcome
Self-Compassion
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention
Self-compassion will be assessed using the 12-item Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-compassion.
2 secondary outcomes
Perceived Stress
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention.
Mental Well-Being
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. Study findings will be reported and published only in aggregate form, without information that could identify individual participants.
Related trials for Perceived Stress
Recruiting
An Online Intuitive Eating Program for Pregnant Women With Obesity to Support Well-Being
Excessive Gestational Weight Gain, Pregnancy
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Assessment of Perceived Stress in an Observational Study Evaluating a Biopsy-sparing Surveillance Strategy in Kidney Transplant Recipients With Blood and Urinary Biomarkers Predictive of the Absence of Rejection
Renal Transplantation; Complication, Renal Transplant
Active, not recruiting
HRVB for Stress and Anxiety During Dentistry Students' Clinical Transition
Stress (Psychology), Anxiety
RecruitingObservational study
Asprosin and miRNA Expression in Young Women With Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance
Not yet recruiting
Robot-Assisted Meditation for Older Adults With Cognitive Concerns
Cognitive Impairment, Perceived Stress
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.
Münevver Boğahan principal investigator
Mersin University
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 Perceived Stress and Mental Well-being, run by Mersin University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 3 inclusion and 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Oct 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Münevver Boğahan, Dr. Research Assistant (+90 324 361 00 01/14232, munevverbghn@mersin.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Self-Compassion (time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months after completion of the intervention). 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 7 Oct 2026.