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Volume 25, Issue 159 (5-2026)
Journal of Psychological Science 2026, 25(159): 1-17 |
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Eivaznezhad Firouzsalari A, Narimani M, Basharpoor S. (2026). Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effectiveness of Learning to BREATHE curriculum on Self-Compassion, Perceived Stress, and Mindfulness in Iranian Adolescents. Journal of Psychological Science. 25(159), : 11 doi:10.61186/jps.25.159.11
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2955-en.html
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2955-en.html
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran , narimani@uma.ac.ir
Abstract: (283 Views)
Background: The Learning to BREATHE (L2B) curriculum is a school-based mindfulness intervention that has been used over the past two decades to promote adolescent mental health in educational settings. This program draws on mindfulness principles to enhance psychological well-being. In Iran, given the intense cultural and social pressures—particularly those related to highly competitive examinations—there is a growing need for novel, culturally appropriate mental health interventions.
Aims: This pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and preliminary effectiveness of the Learning to BREATHE curriculum on self-compassion, perceived stress, and mindfulness among Iranian adolescent girls.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test and post-test design without a control group. The population included all female high school students aged 15–19 in Ardabil in 2024. Eight students were selected through non-random voluntary sampling. Measurement tools included the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983), and Mindfulness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2003). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests in SPSS-26, with effect sizes calculated via Cohen’s d.
Results: The attendance rate of 97.6%, completion rate of 87.5%, and high satisfaction levels confirmed the program’s feasibility and acceptability. No chronic adverse events were reported. The results demonstrated significant improvements in self-compassion (Cohen’s d = 1.12, p < 0.05), significant reductions in perceived stress (Cohen’s d = 1.3, p < 0.05), and significant increases in mindfulness (Cohen’s d = 1.2, p< 0.05) in the post-test compared to the pre-test.
Conclusion: The Learning to BREATHE program shows high potential as an effective and culturally compatible intervention for promoting the mental health of Iranian adolescents. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and the absence of a control group, future research with larger samples and long-term follow-up is recommended.
Aims: This pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and preliminary effectiveness of the Learning to BREATHE curriculum on self-compassion, perceived stress, and mindfulness among Iranian adolescent girls.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test and post-test design without a control group. The population included all female high school students aged 15–19 in Ardabil in 2024. Eight students were selected through non-random voluntary sampling. Measurement tools included the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983), and Mindfulness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2003). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests in SPSS-26, with effect sizes calculated via Cohen’s d.
Results: The attendance rate of 97.6%, completion rate of 87.5%, and high satisfaction levels confirmed the program’s feasibility and acceptability. No chronic adverse events were reported. The results demonstrated significant improvements in self-compassion (Cohen’s d = 1.12, p < 0.05), significant reductions in perceived stress (Cohen’s d = 1.3, p < 0.05), and significant increases in mindfulness (Cohen’s d = 1.2, p< 0.05) in the post-test compared to the pre-test.
Conclusion: The Learning to BREATHE program shows high potential as an effective and culturally compatible intervention for promoting the mental health of Iranian adolescents. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and the absence of a control group, future research with larger samples and long-term follow-up is recommended.
Article number: 11
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/05/20 | Accepted: 2025/07/11 | Published: 2026/05/22
Received: 2025/05/20 | Accepted: 2025/07/11 | Published: 2026/05/22
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This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)