To investigate the effectiveness of self-compassion training on improving emotional regulation and psychological well-being among elementary school students.
Design
Randomized controlled trial with parallel groups, pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design.
Settings and conduct
The study will be conducted in public elementary schools located in Bushehr, Iran. Participants will be recruited from these educational settings.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Elementary school students enrolled in public schools; informed consent from parents. Exclusion criteria: Presence of severe neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders requiring immediate clinical intervention.
Intervention groups
Intervention group: Receives structured self-compassion training sessions. Control group: Standard waitlist control group receiving no intervention during the active study period.
The Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Training on Reducing Shame and Improving Emotion Regulation in Elementary School Children
Public title
Effect of Self-Compassion Training on Shame and Emotion Regulation in Elementary School Children
Purpose
Prevention
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Being a female elementary school student
Having informed parental consent
Exclusion criteria:
Having acute physical illness
Receiving concurrent psychological therapy
Being absent from more than one intervention session
Age
From 7 years old to 12 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
40
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Participants meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were allocated to the intervention group (n=20) or control group (n=20) in a 1:1 ratio using simple randomization (lottery method). The randomization unit was individual. The allocation sequence was generated by an independent person not involved in the assessment, and allocation concealment was ensured using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Parallel randomized controlled trial with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Branch
Street address
Islamic Azad University of Marvdasht, Km 3, Takht-e-Jamshid Blvd, Marvdasht, Iran
City
Marvdasht
Province
Fars
Postal code
1311973711
Approval date
2026-08-13, 1405/05/22
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.M.REC.1405.397
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Self-compassion and psychological well-being in students
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Emotion regulation and shame
Timepoint
Before intervention (pre-test) and after intervention (post-test)
Method of measurement
Measured using standardized psychological questionnaires for emotion regulation and shame
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Participants receive an 8-session group-based self-compassion training program (based on Gilbert's model, 2014; 60 minutes per session, once a week for 2 months). The protocol includes: Session 1: Familiarity, creating psychological safety, and introducing self-compassion concepts; Session 2: Empathy training and developing a supportive inner dialogue; Session 3: Extending empathy from self to others; Session 4: Forgiveness training and reducing self-criticism; Session 5: Mindfulness and emotional acceptance; Session 6: Cultivating positive and transcendent emotions; Session 7: Emotional responsibility and regulation; Session 8: Review, skill consolidation, and post-test.
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Control group: Participants in the control group are placed on a waitlist and receive no psychological or educational intervention during the 2-month study period, following their regular school routines. To comply with ethical guidelines, an identical condensed self-compassion workshop will be held for this group after the post-test completion.
Category
Behavior
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Department of Education, Kazerun Schools
Full name of responsible person
Sanaz Rezazadeh
Street address
Saadi St., Daneshjoo Sq., Department of Education, Kazerun, Fars, Iran
City
Kazerun
Province
Fars
Postal code
7319784314
Phone
+98 71 4222 2202
Email
ss5463048@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Dr. Masoumeh Emadi
Street address
Islamic Azad University, Takht-e Jamshid Blvd
City
Marvdasht
Province
Fars
Postal code
1311973711
Phone
+98 71 3913 0001
Email
m.info@miau.ac.ir
Web page address
https://miau.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Islamic Azad University
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Sanaz Rezazadeh
Position
MSc Student of Clinical Psychology
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
English: Marvdasht, University Boulevard, near Persepolis