Self-Compassion Training for Depression and Anxiety

(SCCC Trial)

Overseen By Ryan Herringa, MD, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Must not be taking: Sympathetic nervous system drugs

Disqualifiers: Psychotic disorder, Medical impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether an online course called Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers (SCCC) can help children aged 8-11 and their caregivers learn self-compassion to improve well-being and family relationships. Participants attend two in-person visits and engage in a six-session online course. The trial seeks English- or Spanish-speaking children from the Madison Metropolitan School District who experience significant anxiety or depression and have a caregiver willing to participate. Participants need internet access and the ability to complete surveys in their language. As an unphased trial, this study offers families a unique opportunity to enhance well-being and relationships through innovative online learning.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not require you to stop taking your current medications. However, some medications that affect physiological recordings might be excluded, and this will be decided individually by the study's lead doctor.

What prior data suggests that this online course is safe for children and caregivers?

Research shows that self-compassion programs are safe and beneficial for children and caregivers. Studies have found that these programs increase self-kindness and reduce stress in caregivers, indicating they are well-received. One study discovered that parents slept better and felt less depressed after participating. No evidence of serious side effects has emerged from these programs, making them a promising option for improving emotional well-being. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers (SCCC) because it offers a unique approach to tackling depression and anxiety. Unlike traditional treatments, which often rely on medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy, SCCC focuses on fostering self-compassion to improve mental well-being. This technique empowers both children and their caregivers by teaching them to be kind to themselves, potentially leading to more sustainable and holistic mental health improvements. With separate interventions for English and Spanish speakers, SCCC also highlights inclusivity and accessibility, catering to diverse populations.

What evidence suggests that this self-compassion training is effective for depression and anxiety?

Research shows that self-compassion training can reduce depression and anxiety. Studies have found that being kind to oneself improves awareness and helps manage emotions better, leading to less stress and fewer symptoms of depression. This trial will evaluate the Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers program, which has demonstrated significant improvements in caregivers' self-perception and reduced their parenting stress. It also enhances the well-being of both caregivers and children, potentially improving family relationships. Overall, these findings suggest that the Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers program could effectively improve mental health and family dynamics. Participants in this trial will receive the intervention in either English or Spanish. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ryan Herringa, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children aged 8-11 with significant anxiety or depression, attending Glenn Stephens Elementary in Madison, WI. They must be able to read/write in English and have a caregiver who can participate. Both need internet access for an online course. Children on certain medications affecting physiology recordings may be excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Youth are currently attending school at Glenn Stephens Elementary School in Madison, WI

Accompanied by a willing and able caregiver (e.g., parent, grandparent, legal guardian)

Access to an internet-enabled device

Exclusion Criteria

Parent or youth that is currently impaired by any medical condition that would prevent study participation

I am not on medications that affect my nervous system, as decided by the study's lead doctor.

I have a diagnosed psychotic disorder that is currently active.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

In-person Visits

Participants attend 2 in-person study visits including surveys, a computer puzzle challenge, and a discussion

1-2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Online Course

Participants engage in a 6-session, online self-compassion course with other families

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants provide feedback about the course and are monitored for changes in anxiety/depression symptoms and other outcomes

up to 2 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers (SCCC)

Trial Overview

The study tests an online self-compassion course's impact on well-being and family relationships. It involves two in-person visits for surveys and physiological recording during a task, followed by a six-session online course with other families, concluding with feedback from participants.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Self-Compassion Intervention - Spanish speaking Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Self-Compassion Intervention - English speaking Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,249

Recruited

3,255,000+

Mind & Life Institute

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

20+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Parents with high self-compassion, developed from supportive childhood experiences, are better equipped to help their children manage difficult emotions, fostering secure attachments and promoting the child's own self-compassion.

Enhancing self-compassion through interventions could break the cycle of insecure attachment across generations, leading to healthier emotional development in children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent Self-Compassion and Supportive Responses to Child Difficult Emotion: An Intergenerational Theoretical Model Rooted in Attachment. Lathren, C., Bluth, K., Zvara, B.[2022]

In two studies involving 38 parents in a pilot trial and 160 families in a longitudinal study, higher levels of self-compassion in parents were linked to better parenting practices and fewer emotional and behavioral problems in their children.

While self-compassion was associated with positive parenting, the relationship with children's problems diminished when accounting for factors like child gender and parental education, suggesting that further research is needed to explore interventions that enhance self-compassion to improve parenting outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-Compassion and Parenting in Mothers and Fathers with Depression. Psychogiou, L., Legge, K., Parry, E., et al.[2020]

Both Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) significantly improved self-compassion, mindfulness, and reduced symptoms of rumination, depression, anxiety, and stress in a pilot study of 58 participants.

CFT was particularly effective in enhancing mindfulness for all participants, while MBCT specifically benefited those with high levels of rumination, indicating that both therapies can be effective in different ways depending on individual needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) on Symptom Change, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Rumination in Clients With Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. Frostadottir, AD., Dorjee, D.[2020]

Self-compassion, which includes self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, is linked to better mental health and less psychological distress, highlighting its importance in emotional well-being.

The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, an 8-week course with weekly sessions, effectively teaches participants to develop self-compassion through various meditative and practical exercises, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-compassion in clinical practice. Germer, CK., Neff, KD.[2013]

Higher self-compassion is significantly associated with lower levels of anxiety (r = -0.49) and depression (r = -0.50) in youth aged 14-24, based on a systematic review of 50 studies.

Self-compassion interventions show promise in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms among young people, with a preference for treatments that focus on decreasing self-criticism rather than solely increasing self-kindness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Review of Self-Compassion as an Active Ingredient in the Prevention and Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Young People. Egan, SJ., Rees, CS., Delalande, J., et al.[2023]

The positive and negative subscales of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) are fundamentally different, with positive subscales linked to healthy coping and functioning, while negative subscales correlate with mental health issues and maladaptive coping strategies, as shown in a study involving psychologists and psychology students.

In a survey of non-clinical adolescents, positive SCS subscales were associated with lower anxiety and depression symptoms, while negative subscales were strongly linked to higher symptoms, suggesting that using a total SCS score may misrepresent the relationship between self-compassion and mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Good and Bad Sides of Self-Compassion: A Face Validity Check of the Self-Compassion Scale and an Investigation of its Relations to Coping and Emotional Symptoms in Non-Clinical Adolescents. Muris, P., van den Broek, M., Otgaar, H., et al.[2020]

The online Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training program, conducted over eight weeks with 253 participants in China, demonstrated high retention rates and positive outcomes, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing self-compassion and emotional well-being.

Participants showed significant improvements in self-compassion and reductions in negative emotional states, suggesting that online MSC training with peer support can be a viable method for promoting mental health in nonclinical populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Mindful Self-Compassion Training Supported by Online Peer Groups in China: A Pilot Study. Yeung, A., Xie, Q., Huang, X., et al.[2023]

An 8-week Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) course for 55 participants led to significant improvements in self-compassion, well-being, and positive emotions, while reducing self-criticism and distress, with effects maintained at a 3-month follow-up.

The study suggests that CMT can be a beneficial intervention for enhancing psychological health in community settings, highlighting the importance of self-compassion in improving overall well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Compassionate Mind Training: An 8-week group for the general public. Irons, C., Heriot-Maitland, C.[2021]

The paper discusses three specific interventions designed to help highly self-critical patients cultivate self-compassion, providing theoretical background and case examples for each.

Each intervention is supported by research evidence that outlines its mechanism of change, highlighting the effectiveness of these approaches in improving self-compassion among patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The transdiagnostic phenomenon of self-criticism. Schanche, E.[2019]

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