Comparing Four-Week Formal and Informal Mindful Self-Compassion Programs for Adolescents Aged 14 to 19 to Improve Coping and Mental Health

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of two types of four-week mindful self-compassion programs for adolescents aged 14 to 19 years. The study aims to find out whether these formal and informal mindfulness programs can improve adolescents coping skills, mental health outcomes like stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as academic engagement. The trial also assesses how much adolescents like each program. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups a formal mindful self-compassion program MSC-F focusing on guided meditation practices, an informal mindful self-compassion program MSC-I focusing on everyday mindful experiences, or a waitlist control group that does not participate during the initial four weeks but may complete a program after the study. Both programs involve weekly live online group sessions led by trained researchers, including psychoeducation, mindfulness practice, and group discussions, with assigned home practice and supporting materials. During the nine-week study, participants will complete surveys on coping, mental health, and academics at the start, one week after the programs end, and one month later. Those in the program groups will also complete weekly home practice surveys during the intervention. All procedures are conducted virtually through phone, video calls, and secure online surveys. The main outcome measured is the Coping Index score one week after the intervention to assess improvements in coping skills.

The Effectiveness and Acceptability of Formal Versus Informal Mindful Self-Compassion for Adolescents