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Internet-based group compassion-focused therapy for Swedish young people with stress, anxiety and depression: a pilot waitlist randomized controlled trial

Vestin, Magnus; Wallin, Linda; Naesström, Matilda; Blomqvist, Ida; Svedin, Carl Göran; Beaumont, Elaine; Jokinen, Jussi; Dennhag, Inga

Internet-based group compassion-focused therapy for Swedish young people with stress, anxiety and depression: a pilot waitlist randomized controlled trial Thumbnail


Authors

Magnus Vestin

Linda Wallin

Matilda Naesström

Ida Blomqvist

Carl Göran Svedin

Jussi Jokinen

Inga Dennhag



Abstract

Introduction: Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) has shown promising outcomes for young people, but research on CFT for this population remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a seven session, therapist-led, internet-based group CFT for young people, and to investigate its preliminary effects.

Methods: A two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. The study included 42 participants (aged 15–20), experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety, or depression, most of whom (90%) were female. In the intervention group, 22 participants were included in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05448014).

Results: The intervention group had low attrition and moderate attendance, with 77% completing four or more modules. No adverse events were reported, and participants generally expressed satisfaction with the intervention. Linear regression models showed preliminary between-group differences in two variables. Depressive symptoms increased post-intervention for individuals in the intervention group compared to the waitlist (WL) group (p = 0.002). Self-compassion improved in the intervention group (p = 0.023). These patterns were consistent among participants who completed more than two sessions. Within-group analyses indicated moderate, significant improvements in stress, self-compassion and compassion from others.

Discussion: These preliminary results suggest that CFT is feasible and acceptable and may offer benefits for young people, particularly by enhancing self-compassion and compassion for others. The observed increase in depressive symptoms in the intervention group, despite improvements in self-compassion, warrants further investigation. Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results and to better understand the underlying mechanisms.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 10, 2025
Online Publication Date Apr 1, 2025
Publication Date Apr 1, 2025
Deposit Date Apr 1, 2025
Publicly Available Date Apr 2, 2025
Journal Frontiers in Psychology
Electronic ISSN 1664-1078
Publisher Frontiers Media
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1547046
Keywords compassion, young people, stress, randomized controlled trial (RCT), group psychotherapy, internet-based psychotherapy

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