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IRCT20260922071154N1 IRCT 2026-10-07 Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences Investigating the Effectiveness of Self-Compassion-Based Counseling on the Body Image of Menopausal Women The Effectiveness of Self-Compassion-Based Counseling on Body Image in Menopausal Women. 2026-10-16 anticipated 44 Recruiting https://irct.ir/trial/93772 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Not blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Education/Guidance, Randomization description: Unit of Randomization: Individual-level randomization.Randomization Technique: Participants will be assigned to either the intervention or the control group using a permuted block randomization technique to ensure an equal distribution of participants between the two groups throughout the recruitment period. To maintain balance and prevent predictability, block sizes of 4, 6, and 8 will be utilized. Sequence Generation: The randomization sequence will be generated using a computer-based random number generator (e.g., via statistical software like SPSS or R) to ensure a truly stochastic process. Allocation Concealment: To ensure rigorous allocation concealment and minimize selection bias, the assignment will be implemented through sequentially allocated, opaque, and sealed envelopes. The allocation process will be managed by a researcher who is not involved in the recruitment or clinical assessment of the participants. N/A Menopausal state and body image dissatisfaction. Intervention 1: Intervention group: Intervention group: Participants in the intervention group will receive group self-compassion-based counseling (based on Paul Gilbert’s Compassion-Focused Therapy framework) in groups of 8 to 10 participants. The program consists of 8 sessions of 90 to 120 minutes each, conducted twice weekly over a period of 4 weeks in a designated counseling room at the healthcare center. The sessions will be facilitated by a trained researcher under the supervision of a clinical psychology consultant.Each session includes reviewing previous homework, introducing new concepts, practical exercises, and assigning home practices.The session outlines are as follows:Session 1: Orientation, establishing ground rules, introduction to self-compassion and body image,identifying negative body thoughts.Session 2: Body mindfulness, non-judgmental acceptance of the present moment, and body scan meditation.Session 3: Confronting the inner critic, reducing bodily self-criticism, and compassionate cognitive reframing.Session 4: Disengaging from social comparison and analyzing socio-cultural/media influences on body ideals.Session 5: Body kindness, enhancing self-care behaviors, and writing a compassionate letter to one’s body.Session 6: Coping with body shame and implementing soothing self-regulation techniques.Session 7: Restructuring limiting beliefs and cultivating an inner compassionate voice.Session 8: Summary, developing an individualized long-term self-care plan,written commitment, and post-intervention assessment.Body image will be evaluated using the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at a 1-month follow-up. Intervention 2: Control group:Participants in the control group will receive routine standard healthcare services provided by the community health center and will not receive any psychological or counseling intervention during the study period. They will complete the evaluation questionnaires at identical time points: baseline, immediately after the intervention period (at 4 weeks), and at the 1-month follow-up. For ethical considerations, educational materials summarizing the sessions will be provided to the control group in the form of an instructional CD after the completion of the follow-up assessment. Yes - There is a plan to make this available What will be shared: The data will be available after the completion of the thesis and the publication of the article. When: One week after the completion of the thesis and the publication of the article. To whom: Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences and all associated researchers Hospitals, clinics, and universities. Conditions: “Data will be made available to others following the analysis, through publication in scientific-research journals.” Where to obtain: Effat Jahanbin.ftjhanbyn23@gmail.com How to obtain: “Requests can be submitted via email, and a response will be provided within 7 to 10 days Comments:
public Effat Jahanbin
Golestan Boulevard, Esfand Street, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 61357-15794 +98 992 312 1611 ftjhanbyn23@gmail.com Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences scientific Nahid Javadi-Far
Golestan Boulevard, Esfand Street, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6135715794 +98 61 3320 9238 nahidjavadifar_341@yahoo.com Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences Iran (Islamic Republic of) Menopausal women aged 45 to 60 years Ability to read and write Having a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 30 kg/m² Obtaining a score greater than 57 on the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) Willingness and motivation to participate in the study and providing informed consent 45 years 60 years Female Having severe physical diseases or conditions that may affect body image, such as amputation, mastectomy, or similar conditions Having a history of severe psychiatric disorders Having significant physical defects or deformities that may affect body image Having prior knowledge or training in self-compassion or a history of participation in self-compassion-based counseling sessions or courses N95.1 Menopausal and female climacteric states Behavior N/A Intervention group: Intervention group: Participants in the intervention group will receive group self-compassion-based counseling (based on Paul Gilbert’s Compassion-Focused Therapy framework) in groups of 8 to 10 participants. The program consists of 8 sessions of 90 to 120 minutes each, conducted twice weekly over a period of 4 weeks in a designated counseling room at the healthcare center. The sessions will be facilitated by a trained researcher under the supervision of a clinical psychology consultant.Each session includes reviewing previous homework, introducing new concepts, practical exercises, and assigning home practices.The session outlines are as follows:Session 1: Orientation, establishing ground rules, introduction to self-compassion and body image,identifying negative body thoughts.Session 2: Body mindfulness, non-judgmental acceptance of the present moment, and body scan meditation.Session 3: Confronting the inner critic, reducing bodily self-criticism, and compassionate cognitive reframing.Session 4: Disengaging from social comparison and analyzing socio-cultural/media influences on body ideals.Session 5: Body kindness, enhancing self-care behaviors, and writing a compassionate letter to one’s body.Session 6: Coping with body shame and implementing soothing self-regulation techniques.Session 7: Restructuring limiting beliefs and cultivating an inner compassionate voice.Session 8: Summary, developing an individualized long-term self-care plan,written commitment, and post-intervention assessment.Body image will be evaluated using the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at a 1-month follow-up. Control group:Participants in the control group will receive routine standard healthcare services provided by the community health center and will not receive any psychological or counseling intervention during the study period. They will complete the evaluation questionnaires at identical time points: baseline, immediately after the intervention period (at 4 weeks), and at the 1-month follow-up. For ethical considerations, educational materials summarizing the sessions will be provided to the control group in the form of an instructional CD after the completion of the follow-up assessment The primary outcome is body image among menopausal women, assessed in both the intervention and control groups using the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) before the intervention and after completion of the counseling program. The aim is to compare body image outcomes between the two groups after the intervention. Timepoint: Before the intervention; immediately after the intervention; one month after the intervention. Method of measurement: Body image will be measured using the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). The questionnaire will be completed by participants at three time points: before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the intervention. Appearance evaluation:Assessing the individual's feelings of physical attractiveness and general satisfaction with appearance; higher scores reflect greater satisfaction and more positive appearance evaluation. Timepoint: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention (week 4), and one month post-intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Appearance Evaluation subscale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), consisting of 7 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1=definitely disagree to 5=definitely agree). Appearance orientation:Assessing cognitive and behavioral investment in one's physical appearance and grooming behaviors. Timepoint: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention (week 4), and one month post-intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Appearance Orientation subscale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), consisting of 12 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 to 5). Fitness evaluation:Assessing the perception and feelings of being physically fit, athletic, and competent in physical activities. Timepoint: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention (week 4), and one month post-intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Fitness Evaluation subscale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), consisting of 3 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 to 5). Fitness orientation:Assessing the extent of behavioral investment in maintaining and improving personal fitness and participating in physical fitness activities. Timepoint: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention (week 4), and one month post-intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Fitness Orientation subscale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), consisting of 13 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 to 5). Overweight preoccupation (Fear of weight):Assessing fat anxiety, weight vigilance, fear of weight gain, and tendencies toward restrictive dieting. Timepoint: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention (week 4), and one month post-intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention (week 4), and one month post-intervention (follow-up). Body areas satisfaction:Assessing individual satisfaction or dissatisfaction with discrete aspects and areas of the body (e.g., face, mid torso, lower torso, muscle tone, weight, and height). Timepoint: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention (week 4), and one month post-intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (BASS) subscale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), consisting of 5 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1=very dissatisfied to 5=very satisfied). Subjective weight classification:Assessing the participant's perception and subjective appraisal of their own weight status ranging from very underweight to very overweight. Timepoint: Baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention (week 4), and one month post-intervention (follow-up). Method of measurement: Subjective Weight subscale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), consisting of 2 items scored on a 5-point scale. Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences Approved 2026-09-13 Ethics Committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences Golestan Boulevard, Esfand Street, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Ahvaz Khouzestan Iran (Islamic Republic of)