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IRCT20260425069159N1 IRCT 2026-04-29 Islamic Azad University Investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based, compassion-based, and emotion-focused therapies on aggression and psychological indicators of adolescent students Comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy, compassion therapy, and emotion-focused therapy on aggression, functional flexibility, perceived stress, and cognitive avoidance in aggressive seventh-grade female students 2026-05-15 anticipated 80 Complete https://irct.ir/trial/89659 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Not blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Education/Guidance, Randomization description: The statistical population of the present study consists of all aggressive seventh-grade female students who are studying in the 2025–2026 academic year. In this type of effect-evaluation study, a two-stage approach is usually used: first, out of the four educational districts, two districts will be selected by simple random sampling (lottery), and then, by simple random sampling, 8 girls’ lower secondary schools will be selected from each district, and in the next stage, one seventh-grade class from each school will be selected. In the sampling stage, a convenience sampling method will be used. In this way, after the students complete the aggression checklist, those whose scores on this checklist are one standard deviation above the mean, and for whom, in a clinical interview conducted by one of the clinical psychology specialists, a final diagnosis of aggression has been made, will be selected as students with aggression. After selecting the samples up to a total of 80 participants, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, the participants will be randomly assigned to four groups: “mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy” (intervention group 1), “compassion-focused therapy” (intervention group 2), “emotion-focused therapy” (intervention group 3), and “wait-list” (control group). Randomization will be performed using variable-size random blocks (of 4 and 6 participants) by an independent statistician who is not involved in the implementation process. The random allocation list will be generated using the RAND function in Excel software and then placed in opaque, sealed, and numbered envelopes so that the researcher and participants are unaware of the allocation sequence (allocation concealment). Opening the envelopes and becoming aware of the allocation group will only be done at the time of each participant’s entry into the study. To ensure equality of baseline variables (such as anxiety level and age), their distribution in the two groups will be examined at the stage of statistical analysis. N/A aggression. Intervention 1: Intervention Group 1: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy. Duration of each session: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8 sessions. Session frequency: Twice a week. Therapeutic tools used: Guided mindfulness exercises (e.g., body scan, breathing meditation, gentle yoga), training in mindfulness principles in daily life, and group discussions to share experiences. Content of sessions: Session 1: Introduction to mindfulness, body scan practice, fundamentals of stress. Session 2: Focus on breathing, awareness of thoughts and feelings without judgment. Session 3: Body awareness, mindfulness-based gentle yoga. Session 4: Dealing with difficult thoughts, observing thoughts as mental events. Session 5: Awareness of stress reactions, emotion management. Session 6: Mind-body connection, acceptance of unpleasant experiences. Session 7: Self-care, developing interpersonal relationships with mindfulness. Session 8: Conclusion, integrating mindfulness into life, planning for the future, and conducting the post-test. Intervention 2: Intervention Group 2: Compassion-Focused Therapy. Duration of each session: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8 sessions. Session frequency: Twice a week.Therapeutic tools used: Guided talk therapy, mindfulness exercises (with a focus on compassion), self-compassion imagery exercises, compassion for others imagery exercises, and emotion regulation techniques. Content of sessions: Session 1: Introduction to the concept of compassion, differentiating compassion from pity, theoretical foundations of Compassion-Focused Therapy, and pre-test administration. Session 2: Identifying dysfunctional thought and behavioral patterns towards oneself, understanding the roots of self-criticism. Session 3: Practicing self-compassion imagery, using a soothing breath technique for relaxation. Session 4: Mindfulness practice for better emotional understanding, expressing empathy towards oneself and others. Session 5: Practicing writing a compassionate letter to oneself, healthy emotional release. Session 6: Pathologizing internal and external barriers to compassion (such as fear, aversion), examining factors that reduce compassion. Session 7: Teaching methods to cope with compassion barriers, practicing deep relaxation techniques. Session 8: Summarizing interventions, providing final suggestions for consistent compassion practice, administering the post-test, and scheduling a follow-up appointment. Intervention 3: Intervention Group 3: Emotion-Focused Therapy: Duration of each session: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8 sessions. Session frequency: Twice a week. Therapeutic tools used: Emotion-focused techniques, guided talk therapy for deep exploration of emotions, experiential exercises for processing and expressing emotions, techniques for establishing safe and intimate connections, and emotion regulation exercises within the context of relationships. Session content: Session 1: Introduction to the core concepts of Emotion-Focused Therapy, understanding primary and secondary emotions, and conducting the pre-test. Session 2: Exploring and identifying dysfunctional interaction patterns and the emotions associated with them. Session 3: Focusing on emotions hidden behind defensive behaviors, and creating a safe space for emotional expression. Session 4: Experiential processing of difficult emotions, and using experiential techniques for deeper understanding. Session 5: Reconstructing interactions with a focus on establishing secure attachment, and expressing needs and fears. Session 6: Strengthening emotional communication skills, and practicing the expression of compassion and mutual understanding. Session 7: Consolidating the changes made, and practicing conflict management with an emotion-focused approach. Session 8: Summarizing the interventions, providing strategies for maintaining and continuing healthy emotional connection, conducting the post-test, and scheduling follow-up. Intervention 4: Control group: The control group will not receive any type of intervention during the implementation of the research; however, in order to prevent threats to the internal validity of the study, such as compensatory rivalry of the control group or morale undermining, after data collection, they will receive the compassion-based therapy intervention. Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available Justification or reason for indecision in sharing IPD is Due to the lack of completion of the research work and the failure to write the article, which is a requirement for publishing the data, I will publish the data after resolving the aforementioned issues.
public Azizeh Sharifi Naseri
No. 708, Mordad 3 St, Naft town
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6165745439 +98 61 3416 3452 zohreh.sharifi2018@gmail.com Islamic Azad University scientific Azizeh Sharifi Naseri
No. 708, Mordad 3 St, Naft town
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6165745439 +98 61 3416 3452 zohreh.sharifi2018@gmail.com Islamic Azad University Iran (Islamic Republic of) Seventh grade female students Girls aged 12 to 13 years Obtaining a score one standard deviation above the average in aggression 12 years 13 years Female R45.6 Violent behavior Treatment - Other Treatment - Other Treatment - Other Treatment - Other Intervention Group 1: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy. Duration of each session: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8 sessions. Session frequency: Twice a week. Therapeutic tools used: Guided mindfulness exercises (e.g., body scan, breathing meditation, gentle yoga), training in mindfulness principles in daily life, and group discussions to share experiences. Content of sessions: Session 1: Introduction to mindfulness, body scan practice, fundamentals of stress. Session 2: Focus on breathing, awareness of thoughts and feelings without judgment. Session 3: Body awareness, mindfulness-based gentle yoga. Session 4: Dealing with difficult thoughts, observing thoughts as mental events. Session 5: Awareness of stress reactions, emotion management. Session 6: Mind-body connection, acceptance of unpleasant experiences. Session 7: Self-care, developing interpersonal relationships with mindfulness. Session 8: Conclusion, integrating mindfulness into life, planning for the future, and conducting the post-test. Intervention Group 2: Compassion-Focused Therapy. Duration of each session: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8 sessions. Session frequency: Twice a week.Therapeutic tools used: Guided talk therapy, mindfulness exercises (with a focus on compassion), self-compassion imagery exercises, compassion for others imagery exercises, and emotion regulation techniques. Content of sessions: Session 1: Introduction to the concept of compassion, differentiating compassion from pity, theoretical foundations of Compassion-Focused Therapy, and pre-test administration. Session 2: Identifying dysfunctional thought and behavioral patterns towards oneself, understanding the roots of self-criticism. Session 3: Practicing self-compassion imagery, using a soothing breath technique for relaxation. Session 4: Mindfulness practice for better emotional understanding, expressing empathy towards oneself and others. Session 5: Practicing writing a compassionate letter to oneself, healthy emotional release. Session 6: Pathologizing internal and external barriers to compassion (such as fear, aversion), examining factors that reduce compassion. Session 7: Teaching methods to cope with compassion barriers, practicing deep relaxation techniques. Session 8: Summarizing interventions, providing final suggestions for consistent compassion practice, administering the post-test, and scheduling a follow-up appointment. Intervention Group 3: Emotion-Focused Therapy: Duration of each session: 90 minutes. Total number of sessions: 8 sessions. Session frequency: Twice a week. Therapeutic tools used: Emotion-focused techniques, guided talk therapy for deep exploration of emotions, experiential exercises for processing and expressing emotions, techniques for establishing safe and intimate connections, and emotion regulation exercises within the context of relationships. Session content: Session 1: Introduction to the core concepts of Emotion-Focused Therapy, understanding primary and secondary emotions, and conducting the pre-test. Session 2: Exploring and identifying dysfunctional interaction patterns and the emotions associated with them. Session 3: Focusing on emotions hidden behind defensive behaviors, and creating a safe space for emotional expression. Session 4: Experiential processing of difficult emotions, and using experiential techniques for deeper understanding. Session 5: Reconstructing interactions with a focus on establishing secure attachment, and expressing needs and fears. Session 6: Strengthening emotional communication skills, and practicing the expression of compassion and mutual understanding. Session 7: Consolidating the changes made, and practicing conflict management with an emotion-focused approach. Session 8: Summarizing the interventions, providing strategies for maintaining and continuing healthy emotional connection, conducting the post-test, and scheduling follow-up. Control group: The control group will not receive any type of intervention during the implementation of the research; however, in order to prevent threats to the internal validity of the study, such as compensatory rivalry of the control group or morale undermining, after data collection, they will receive the compassion-based therapy intervention. Aggression. Timepoint: 1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention. Method of measurement: The method of measurement will be using the aggression inventory of Zahedifar et al. (1379). Functional Flexibility. Timepoint: 1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention. Method of measurement: The measurement method will be using the Connor and Davidson (2003) Functional Flexibility Questionnaire. Perceived Stress. Timepoint: 1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention. Method of measurement: The measurement method will be using the Cohen et al. (1983) questionnaire. Cognitive Avoidance. Timepoint: 1. Pre-test (before the start of the intervention) 2. Post-test (immediately after the end of the intervention period) 3. One-month follow-up after the intervention. Method of measurement: The measurement method will be the Sexton and Dugas (2008) Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire. Islamic Azad University Approved 2026-02-18 Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Branch Opposite Keshavarz Street, Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway Ahvaz Khouzestan Iran (Islamic Republic of)