Development of a Compassionate Mind Training Program for Adolescents: Intervention Mapping Approach

This study aimed to design a compassion-based mindfulness training program for adolescents using the intervention mapping approach.  Intervention mapping is a method that employs a repetitive and cumulative process to develop health-oriented interventions grounded in theory, evidence, and practice. This research involved reviewing theoretical and empirical knowledge on compassion, as well as incorporating expert opinions from the fields of positive psychology and developmental psychology. The primary goal was to create a context-specific protocol for teaching compassion-based mindfulness to adolescents.  The results indicated that achieving compassion-based mindfulness through this educational protocol is linked to factors such as emotional expression, perfectionistic parenting, blame-oriented environments, social media influences, basic needs, and self-care. These findings highlight that a one-dimensional approach to compassion is insufficient and that various social, familial, and individual dimensions must be considered.  Oversimplifying the concept of compassion by focusing on a single aspect leads to a limited understanding and less effective interventions. Compassion interventions should be designed and implemented in a multidimensional manner, taking into account the diverse aspects of this construct.