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Digital Self-Compassion Writing Intervention to Support Mental Health of Parents of Autistic Individuals

NCT07347717 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 240

Last updated 2026-01-16

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a digital self-compassion writing intervention for parents of autistic individuals. Participants will engage in a 14-day self-compassion writing program delivered via a WeChat mini-program. The study seeks to answer the following questions:

* Is the study design and digital self-compassion writing intervention feasible and acceptable for parents of autistic individuals?
* Does the intervention lead to greater improvements in self-compassion and mental health outcomes compared to the control group?
* Do baseline characteristics moderate the intervention effect compared to the control group?
* Among intervention participants, do satisfaction and usage patterns predict greater improvements in outcomes?
* Does improvement in self-compassion mediate changes in mental health outcomes?

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Self-compassion writing group

This digital intervention is a 14-day writing program delivered via a WeChat mini-program. Each day, participants complete a two-step writing task: (1) mindfully describe an event and their feelings, and (2) support themselves with self-kindness. Daily reminders are sent to encourage engagement. Each session takes approximately 5 minutes. The program is tailored for parents of autistic individuals to provide a brief, low-cost mental health support option for chronically stressed caregivers.

BEHAVIORAL

Control group (placebo)

Participants in the control group use the same mini-program for 14 days but complete factual writing tasks. They are instructed to recall their day and describe events objectively, without emotional content or cognitive reframing. This controls for time, attention, and writing activity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Macau

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-12-16
Primary Completion
2026-02-05
Completion
2026-02-05

Countries

  • Macau

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07347717 on ClinicalTrials.gov