The effectiveness of a self-compassion training program on self-efficacy, adjustment, and self-criticism among female students of Islamic Azad University, Behbahan Branch
Determining the effectiveness of a self-compassion training program on the self-efficacy, adjustment, and self-criticism of female students at Islamic Azad University
Design
This study uses a pretest-posttest control group design. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group (receiving self-compassion training) or a control group (waitlist). Self-efficacy, adjustment, and self-criticism will be measured before and after the intervention.
Settings and conduct
This semi-experimental study will be conducted at the Academic Advisor Counseling Center in Ahvaz. After obtaining necessary permissions, eligible female student volunteers will be selected and randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Participants will be female students from Islamic Azad University, Behbahan branch, within a specified age range who provide informed consent. Individuals with a history of psychiatric disorders or concurrent participation in other psychotherapy will be excluded.
Intervention groups
This group will receive a 14-session (90-min each) self-compassion training program based on the standard protocol (Johari Fard, 2024). Sessions will be conducted in group format by a trained instructor and will cover basic concepts, mindfulness practices, self-supportive writing techniques, and developing self-kindness.
Main outcome variables
Self-efficacy, adjustment, and self-criticism
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20250915067252N1
Registration date:2025-09-19, 1404/06/28
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2025-09-19, 1404/06/28
Update count:0
Registration date
2025-09-19, 1404/06/28
Registrant information
Name
mina otoofat
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 61 5287 1400
Email address
mina.otoofat3233@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2025-12-22, 1404/10/01
Expected recruitment end date
2026-02-20, 1404/12/01
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effectiveness of a self-compassion training program on self-efficacy, adjustment, and self-criticism among female students of Islamic Azad University, Behbahan Branch
Public title
The effectiveness of a self-compassion training program on self-efficacy, adjustment, and self-criticism among female students of Islamic Azad University, Behbahan Branch
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Female student of Islamic Azad University, Behbahan Branch
Being within a specified age range ( 19 to 35 years old)
Exclusion criteria:
History of severe psychiatric disorders
Concurrent participation in other psychotherapy
Age
From 19 years old to 35 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
30
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Participants were randomly assigned to two intervention groups and a control group (waiting list) through a lottery.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
The Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch
Street address
Ahvaz, 22 Bahman Boulevard, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Approval date
2025-08-30, 1404/06/08
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1404.417
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Adjustment
ICD-10 code
F43.2
ICD-10 code description
Adjustment disorders
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Self-efficacy
Timepoint
Before and after treatment
Method of measurement
The Sherer and Maddux (1982) Self-Efficacy Scale is a 17-item questionnaire.
2
Description
Adjustment
Timepoint
Before and after treatment
Method of measurement
The Bell Social Adjustment Inventory was developed in 1961 and consists of 32 items.
3
Description
Self-criticism
Timepoint
Before and after treatment
Method of measurement
The Lewis Self-Criticism Levels Scale was developed and compiled in 2004. The self-criticism questionnaire consists of 22 questions
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: The intervention group will receive a self-care training program consisting of 14 90-minute sessions based on a standard protocol. The training content focuses on self-care concepts, mindfulness exercises, and self-help writing techniques. The sessions will be conducted in a group setting by a trained instructor
Category
Rehabilitation
2
Description
Control group: The control group in this study will not receive any active intervention and will be placed on a waiting list. After the study is completed and data is analyzed, if the intervention is effective, the self-exercise training program will also be made available to this group
Category
N/A
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Nikan Counseling Center
Full name of responsible person
Reza Johari Fard
Street address
Nikan Counseling Center, Nooshin Complex, 9th Western Blvd, Kianpars, Ahvaz, Iran
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 5287 1400
Email
rjoharifard@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Pejman Taghipour Birgani
Street address
Ahvaz, 22 Bahman Boulevard, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
P_taghipour@iauahvaz.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
Iranian academic center for education culture and research
Full name of responsible person
Reza Joharifard
Position
assistant professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Nikan Counseling Center, Nooshin Complex, 9th Western Street, Kianpars, Ahvaz, Iran
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 5287 1400
Email
mina.otoofat3233@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Reza Joharifard
Position
assistant professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Nikan Counseling Center, Nooshin Complex, 9th Western Blvd, Kianpars, Ahvaz, Iran
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 5287 1400
Email
rjoharifard@gmail.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Reza Joharifard
Position
assistant professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Nikan Counseling Center, Nooshin Complex, 9th Western Blvd, Kianpars, Ahvaz, Iran
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
rjoharifard@gmail.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available