A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) and Self-Compassion Program on Reducing Depression in Children

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) and a self-compassion program in reducing depression among children with depressive symptoms. This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial with a pretest–posttest design and a three-month follow-up including a control group. The sample consisted of 45 female students aged 7–12 years in Tehran during the 2024–2025 academic year, randomly assigned to three groups (MBCT-C, self-compassion, and control; n=15 per group). Depression was assessed using the Kovacs Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). The MBCT-C intervention was delivered in 12 group sessions, while the self-compassion program was implemented in 10 sessions; the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk test for normality, repeated measures ANOVA to examine time and group effects, and Bonferroni post hoc tests. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results indicated a significant main effect of time on depression scores (P<0.001) and a significant time-by-group interaction (P<0.001). The main effect of group was also significant (P<0.001). Bonferroni comparisons showed that both MBCT-C and self-compassion groups demonstrated significantly greater reductions in depression compared to the control group (P<0.001), whereas no significant difference was found between the two intervention groups (P=0.652). Treatment effects were maintained at the three-month follow-up. Both MBCT-C and self-compassion interventions were effective and sustained in reducing depressive symptoms in children, with no significant difference between them. Therefore, both approaches may be considered suitable therapeutic options for treating childhood depression.