The Effect of a Self-Compassion-Based Mindfulness Psychoeducation Program on Perceived Stress and Continuous Hope Among Healthcare Students

Ondokuz Mayıs University60 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a 6-week self-compassion-based mindfulness psychoeducation program on perceived stress and continuous hope among healthcare students. This study was designed as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial and was conducted during the spring semester of the 2024-2025 academic year among students enrolled in the Health Care Services Department at Trabzon University Tonya Vocational School. A total of 60 students who met the eligibility criteria and voluntarily agreed to participate were included in the study and randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention group received a 6-week self-compassion-based mindfulness psychoeducation program, while the control group did not receive the psychoeducational intervention during the study period. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Continuous Hope Scale. Perceived stress and continuous hope were assessed at baseline and at Week 6, immediately after completion of the intervention. Study data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Stress

Interventions

The Self-Compassion-Based Mindfulness Psychoeducation Program was delivered through in-person group sessions at Trabzon University Tonya Vocational School. The program consisted of six sessions delivered once weekly. Participants in the intervention group were divided into three subgroups of 10 participants. Each session was conducted by the researcher according to the structured psychoeducation program and lasted approximately 45-90 minutes. The program included psychoeducational content and exercises focused on self-compassion, mindfulness, stress awareness, emotion regulation, and self-compassion-based coping skills.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Currently enrolled in the Department of Health Care Services * Aged 18 years or older * Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent * Able to read and understand Turkish * No current psychiatric diagnosis and not receiving active psychiatric treatment * No participation in a mindfulness-, self-compassion-, or stress management-based psychoeducational program within the previous six months Exclusion Criteria: * Current psychiatric diagnosis or active psychiatric treatment * Previous participation in a self-compassion- or mindfulness-based psychoeducational program within the previous six months * Inability to read and understand Turkish * Refusal to provide informed consent

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Trait Hope Scale Total and Subscale Scores

Hope is assessed using the Trait Hope Scale, a 12-item measure consisting of two subscales: Agency Thinking and Pathways Thinking. Four items are filler items and are not included in scoring. Higher total scores indicate higher levels of hope. The scale is administered at baseline and at Week 6, immediately after completion of the psychoeducation program, to assess change in hope over time.

Time frame: Baseline and Week 6 (immediately after completion of the intervention)

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Perceived Stress Scale Total and Subscale Scores

Perceived stress is assessed using the 8-item Perceived Stress Scale. The scale includes two subscales: Perceived Stress and Perceived Coping. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 to 4, and the total score ranges from 0 to 32. Higher total scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress. The scale is administered at baseline and at Week 6, immediately after completion of the psychoeducation program, to assess change in perceived stress over time.