Overview
- To investigate the correlations between self-compassion-related variables in parents of adolescents with emotional disorders and parenting stress as well as self-stigmatization; and the correlations between self-compassion-related variables and the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a Compassion-Focused Family Intervention in increasing self-compassion among adolescents and their parents, and in reducing parenting stress, self-stigmatization, and the severity of adolescent depression and anxiety.
- To explore the neural and physiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of the compassion intervention on parent-child interactions, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning and wearable wristband devices.
Description
This study plans to recruit 120 families (each consisting of a 12-18-year-old adolescent with emotional disorders and their parents), and randomly divide them into an intervention group and a control group, with 60 pairs in each group. The intervention group received a 6-week compassion-based family intervention, once a week for 120 minutes each time, accompanied by family exercises including meditation training and emotional journal. The waiting list control group waited for 6 weeks after the baseline measurement for the post-test, and then conducted the same intervention.
The study adopted multi-dimensional assessment: at five time points including baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3, 6 month follow-up, the psychological state of parents and children was measured through psychological scales (such as the Children's Depression Inventory Scale and the Child-Parent Relationship Scale). At the same time, near-infrared hyperscanning technology was used to record the synchronization of brain signals when parents and children watched emotional videos (2 positive/neutral/negative segments each) (analyzing neural synchronization in the 0.02-0.10Hz frequency band), and a wearable bracelet was used to monitor physiological indicators such as heart rate variability. Data analysis will examine the effect of intervention on enhancing parents' self-compassion level, reducing parenting pressure and symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents, and explore the association mechanism between parent-child neural synchrony changes and intervention effects. Ultimately, it will verify the effectiveness of compassion therapy in improving the mental health of families of adolescents with emotional disorders.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adolescents aged 12-18 years
- Required scores at enrollment: 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) total score≥17 and ≤30; or Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) total score ≥18 and ≤29
- Required scores at enrollment: The item 3 score of HAMD-17 (suicide) ≤2
- No clear suicide plan or recent suicide attempt history; with consistent feedback from parents/guardians
- No history of severe psychotic symptoms or manic episodes
- No history of substance abuse
- Parent(s) willing to participate
- Absence of psychotic symptoms, no contraindications for MRI, and no major physical illnesses, etc.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Adolescents diagnosed with a major psychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia)
- Adolescents presenting with comorbid psychotic features
- Adolescents assessed as having suicide risk
- Parents who are illiterate (lacking reading and writing ability)