This proposed pilot study aims to evaluate the "EmbraceMe", a self-compassion intervention to improve positive body image and mental health among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people in Hong Kong.
1. To assess the feasibility of the intervention. 2. To investigate the acceptability of the intervention. 3. To evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of the intervention in improving self-compassion, body image, and mental health outcomes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
70
Participants in the "EmbraceMe" intervention group will receive group-based self-compassion intervention comprising five consecutive weekly sessions, with each session lasting 2 hours (totaling 10 hours). Each session will include an introduction, guided exercises, group discussions and home practice.
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Feasibility outcomes
Completion rate: In each group, the completion rate is defined as the number of participants who complete outcome measurements at immediate post-intervention and 3-month follow-up divided by those who are randomized.
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the intervention; 3-month post-intervention.
Acceptability
The acceptability of the intervention will be assessed using a self-developed online acceptancequestionnaire. It consists of 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied). Furthermore, semi-structured individual interviews will be conducted to explore the participants' experiences of the intervention.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention
Self-compassion
Self-compassion will be measured using the short version of the self-compassion scale. It has 12 items. The total score ranges from 12 to 60, with higher scores indicating a higher level of self-compassion.
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the intervention; 3-month post-intervention.
Internalized stigma
Internalized stigma will be measured by the Chinese version of the self-stigma scale. It has 9 items. The total score ranges from 9 to 36, with higher scores indicating a higher level of internalized stigma.
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the intervention; 3-month post-intervention.
Self-esteem
Self-esteem will be assessed by the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RES). It has 10 items. The total score ranges from 10 to 40, with higher scores indicating highlevels of self-esteem.
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the intervention; 3-month post-intervention.
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Body appreciation
Body appreciation will be measured by the body appreciation scale (BAS-2). It has 10 items. The total score ranges from 5 to 50, with higher scores representing a higher level of body appreciation.
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the intervention; 3-month post-intervention.
Anxiety
Anxiety symptoms will be screened using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7). It has 7 items. The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores representing a higher level of anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the intervention; 3-month post-intervention.
Depression
Depression will be measured using the 9-item Patient HealthQuestionnaire (PHQ-9). It has nine items. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating a higher level of depression.
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the intervention; 3-month post-intervention.