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NCT Number: NCT07369661

A Brief Self-compassion Intervention for Body Image, Minority Stress, and Sexual Self-efficacy in Hong Kong Gay Men

This pilot study aims to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a brief self-compassion writing intervention on body image, minority stress, and sexual self-efficacy among gay men in Hong Kong.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Hong Kong

About this study

Gay men experience greater body dissatisfaction, a stronger drive for muscularity, and heightened body image concerns compared to their heterosexual counterparts. These issues contribute to minority stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and engagement in risky sexual behaviors. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, we aim to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a brief self-compassion writing intervention on body image, minority stress, and sexual self-efficacy among gay men in Hong Kong.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • aged 18 years or above
  • self-identified as a gay man
  • sufficient comprehension of Cantonese
  • currently living in Hong Kong
  • able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • currently experiencing psychosis
  • having an intellectual disability
  • experiencing current suicidal ideation
  • not currently receiving or engaging in regular mental health services in the last 3 months
  • participation in a similar study or receiving similar services in the past 12 months

Treatment and study plan

Brief self-compassion intervention

Behavioral

Participants will be randomly allocated to the self-compassion group and the waiting list control group. The interveintion group will receive a 2.5 self-compassion training, and 3 week self-compassion writing exercise.

Primary outcomes

  1. self-compassion

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month

    Self-compassion will be measured using the 12-item short version of the self-compassion scale (SCS). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Almost Never) to 5 (Almost Always). The total score ranged from 12 to 60, with higher score indicating higher level of self-compassion.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Sexuality-based stigma

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

    Sexuality-based stigma will be measured by the 10-item Chinese men sex with men (MSM) Stigma Scale. Items are rated on a four-point Likert scale from 1 (never) to 4 (many times). The total score ranges from 10 to 40, with higher score indicating higher level of sexuality-based stigma.

  2. Internalized stigma

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

    Internalized stigma will be measured with the 5-item revised internalized homophobia scale (IHP-R). Items are measured on a five-point Likert scale between 1 (Strongly Disagree) and 5 (Strongly Agree). The total score ranges from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicate greater internalized stigma.

  3. anxiety

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

    Anxiety symptoms will be measured using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher total scores indicating higher levels of anxiety symptoms

  4. self-esteem

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

    The 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) will be used to measured self-esteem. Items will be rated on a 4-point Liker scale (1 = Strongly agree, 4 = Strongly disagree). The total score ranges from 10 to 40, with higher score indicating higher level of self-esteem.

  5. body objectification

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

    Self-objectification will be measured using the Chinese version of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) - body-surveillance subscale. It consists of eight items rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree). The total score ranges from 7 to 56, with a higher score indicating a higher level of body surveillance.

  6. sexual self-efficacy

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 month

    The 14-item Condom Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) will be used to measurement participants' sexual self-efficacy. Items will be measured on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (very unsure) to 5 (very sure). The total score ranging from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicated a higher level of condom use efficacy.

  7. Body shame

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month

    Body shame will be measured using the Chinese version of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) - body shame subscale (McKinley & Hyde, 1996). It consists of six items rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree), with a higher score indicating a higher level of body shame.

  8. Depression

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 1 month

    Depression will be measured using the Chinese version of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher total scores indicating higher levels of depressive symptoms.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Haixia Ma, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

(852)39702990 ext. 2990

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 27, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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