Compassion-Based Family Intervention for Adolescents
ConditionEmotional Disorder
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age12-18
SponsorBeijing HuiLongGuan Hospital
About this trial
Adolescents with emotional disorders (such as depression or anxiety) often experience distress that also affects their parents, creating a cycle of stress within the family. This study tests a new compassion-based family intervention designed to help both adolescents and their parents. The program includes six weekly sessions (120 minutes each). The study will recruit 60 parent-adolescent dyads. Half will receive the intervention immediately; the other half will wait 6 weeks before receiving it. We will measure changes in depression, anxiety, parenting stress, family relationships, and - using brain imaging (fNIRS) and heart rate monitors - how the intervention affects parent-child emotional and physiological synchrony. Assessments will take place before the intervention, right after, and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. The goal is to see whether this family-focused compassion program can improve mental health for both adolescents and their parents.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
the adolescent is aged 12-18 years
for the adolescent, required scores at enrollment: at least one of the following criteria is met (i) 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) (Hamilton, 1960) total score ≥17 and ≤30, (ii) Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) (Hamilton, 1959) total score ≥18 and ≤29; and in addition, the item 3 score of HAMD-17 (suicide) must be ≤2
at least one parent is willing to participate
the adolescent has normal auditory and visual perception abilities and intellectual level
Disqualifiers
the adolescent presents with psychotic symptoms, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
the parent suffers from a mental illness or psychological disorder
the adolescent or their parent has a history of substance abuse
the adolescent or their parent has a severe neurological disorder or major physical disease
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Compassion-Based Family Intervention
Other interventionA 6-week program (120 minutes weekly) combining theoretical content and group activities, with additional home practice (emotion diaries and meditation). Content focuses on cultivating self-compassion and compassion for others, developing inward awareness and outward observation, improving perspective-taking and communication skills, and managing conflict within the family. Weekly themes: Week 1 "Setting Sail Together, Understanding Love in Thought and Action"; Week 2 "Inward Awareness, Resonance of Body and Mind"; Week 3 "Outward Observation, Seeing One Another Clearly"; Week 4 "Shifting Perspectives, Bridging Boundaries"; Week 5 "Perspective-Taking, Managing Conflict"; Week 6 "Harnessing Compassion, Bringing Love Home."
Treatment groups
60 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Compassion-based family intervention groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Waiting list control groupNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Perceived emotional synchrony
Using the score of Perceived Emotional Synchrony Scale to assess perceived emotional synchrony of parents and children respectively. Perceived emotional synchrony scale (16-item version): items rated 1-7; the investigators report mean subscale scores (range 1-7) for Emotional Communion (items 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15) and Felt Unity (items 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16). Higher scores indicate greater perceived emotional synchrony (better outcome).
Time frame
baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-up2
Self-Compassion
Using the Self-Compassion Scale to assess self-compassion levels of parents and children respectively. Self-Compassion Scale (SCS): 26 items rated 1-5; the investigators report the mean score (range 1-5). Higher scores indicate greater self-compassion (better outcome).
Time frame
baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-up3
Fears of Compassion
Using the Fears of Compassion Scales to assess fears of compassion levels of parents and children respectively. Fears of Compassion Scales (FCS): three subscales rated 0-4 - Fear of Compassion for Self (15 items; total 0-60), Fear of Compassion for Others (10 items; total 0-40), and Fear of Receiving Compassion from Others (13 items; total 0-52). Higher scores indicate greater fear of compassion (worse outcome).
Time frame
baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-up4
Parenting Stress
Using the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form to assess parenting stress. Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF): 36 items rated 1-5; the investigators report the total score (range 36-180). Higher scores indicate greater parenting stress (worse outcome).
Time frame
baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-upSecondary outcomes
1
Parenting styles
Using the Parenting Scale-7 to assess parenting styles. Parenting Scale-7 (PS-7): 7 items rated 1-7; the investigators report the mean score (range 1-7). Higher scores indicate more dysfunctional parenting practices (worse outcome).
Time frame
baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-up2
Parenting styles in children's view
Using the Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran to assess the parenting styles in children's view. Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU; "My Memories of Upbringing"), 21-item version: items rated 1-4; the investigators report summed subscale scores for Rejection (items 1, 4, 7, 12, 14, 19), Emotional Warmth (items 2, 6, 9, 11, 13, 17, 21), and Overprotection (items 3, 5, 8, 10, 15R, 16, 18, 20), with item 15 reverse-scored. Higher Rejection and Overprotection indicate worse outcomes, whereas higher Emotional Warmth indicates better outcomes.
Time frame
baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-up3
Parent-child relationships in parents' view
Using the Child-Parent Relationship Scale, 30-item scale to assess the Parent-child relationships from the perspective of parents. Child-Parent Relationship Scale, 30-item version (CPRS): items rated 1-5; the investigators report mean subscale scores (range 1-5) for Closeness, Conflict, and Dependence. Higher Closeness indicates a better relationship (better outcome), whereas higher Conflict and higher Dependence indicate worse outcomes.
Time frame
baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-up4
Parent-child relationships in children's view
Using the Remembered Relationship with Parents, 10-item scale to assess the Parent-child relationships from the perspective of children. Remembered Relationship with Parents, 10-item scale (RRP10): 10 items rated 0-4; the investigators report the total score (range 0-40). Higher scores indicate more negative remembered relationships with parents (worse outcome).
Time frame
baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-upSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov