The Effect of Solution-Focused Group Counseling on Adolescents' Self-Compassion Levels

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 79, 781 - 790, 29.12.2025

Ayşe Nur Aytaç , Bekir Çelik

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of solution-focused group counseling on the self-compassion levels of adolescents. A six-session solution-focused group counseling program was developed for middle school students to achieve the objectives of the study. Prior to the intervention, the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form was administered to 297 seventh and eighth-grade students. Based on their scores, 24 students with low self-compassion levels were randomly selected and assigned to either the experimental or control groups. The experimental group participated in the counselling program, while the control group did not receive any counselling. Post-test assessments were conducted after the sessions, followed by a three-month follow-up. The results indicated a significant increase in self-compassion levels among students who underwent the counseling program, and these improvements were maintained over the three-month follow-up period. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Thus, solution-focused group counseling is an effective intervention for enhancing self-compassion among adolescents.

Keywords

Adolescence , self-compassion , solution-focused theory , group counseling

References

• Andiç, S. (2013). Variables related to preoccupying thoughts during adolescence: Attachment styles, self-compassion, and psychological symptoms (Unpublished master’s thesis). Ankara University, Institute of Social Sciences.
• Aslan, S. A. (2005). The predictive roles of parental attitudes, test anxiety, and study skills on high school entrance examination performance among adolescents (Unpublished master’s thesis). Mersin University, Institute of Social Sciences.
• Ateş, B. (2016). Effect of solution-focused group counseling for high school students in order to struggle with school burnout. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 4(4), 27–34.
• Bayhan, G., & Dalgıç, G. (2012). School dropout according to the experiences of students who left high school. İnönü University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 13(3), 107–130.
• Bilgin, O. (2016). The effect of solution-focused brief group counseling on adolescents’ self-esteem (Doctoral dissertation). Sakarya University, Institute of Educational Sciences.
• Bluth, K., Gaylord, S. A., Campo, R. A., Mullarkey, M. C., & Hobbs, L. (2016). Making friends with yourself: A mixed- methods pilot study of a mindful self-compassion program for adolescents. Mindfulness, 7(2), 479–492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0476-6
• Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2018). Handbook of data analysis. Pegem Academy.
• Corey, M. S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2018). Groups: Process and practice (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Çitemel, N. (2014). The effect of solution-focused brief group counseling on peer bullying among high school students (Unpublished master’s thesis). Sakarya University, Institute of Educational Sciences.
• De Jong, P., & Berg, I. K. (2013). Interviewing for solutions (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• de Shazer, S. (1985). Keys to solution in brief therapy. W. W. Norton.
• de Shazer, S., Dolan, Y., Korman, H., Trepper, T. S., McCollum, E. E., & Berg, I. K. (2007). More than miracles: The state of the art of solution-focused brief therapy. Routledge.
• Eskin, M. (2007). Cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches in suicide. Crisis Journal, 15(2), 15–35. https://doi.org/10.1501/Kriz_0000000261
• Ferreira, C., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Duarte, C. (2013). Self-compassion in the face of shame and body image dissatisfaction: Implications for eating disorders. Eating Behaviors, 14(2), 207–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.01.005
• Gingerich, W. J., & Eisengart, S. (2000). Solution-focused brief therapy: A review of the outcome research. Family Process, 39(4), 477–498.
• Gong, H., & Hsu, W. (2017). The effectiveness of solution-focused group therapy in ethnic Chinese school settings: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 67(3), 383–409.
• Kıcalı, Ü. (2015). An examination of the relationships between self-compassion and rumination with negative affect and depression (Master’s thesis). Maltepe University.
• Kim, J. S., & Franklin, C. (2009). Solution-focused brief therapy in schools: A review of the outcome literature. Children and Youth Services Review, 31(4), 464–470.
• LaFountain, R. M., Garner, N. E., & Eliason, G. T. (1996). Solution-focused counseling groups: A key for school counselors. The School Counselor, 43(4), 256–267.
• Lines, D. (2006). Brief counselling in schools: Working with young people from 11 to 18. Sage Publications.
• Macdonald, A. (2007). Solution-focused therapy: Theory, research and practice. Sage Publications.
• Murphy, J. J. (2008). Solution-focused counseling in schools. American Counseling Association.
• Neff, K. D. (2003). Development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2, 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860390209035
• Neff, K. D. (2009). The role of self-compassion in development: A healthier way to relate to oneself. Human Development, 52(4), 211–214. https://doi.org/10.1159/000215071
• Neff, K. D., & McGehee, P. (2010). Self-compassion and psychological resilience among adolescents and young adults. Self and Identity, 9(3), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860902979307
• Neff, K. D., & Vonk, R. (2009). Self-compassion versus global self-esteem: Two different ways of relating to oneself. Journal of Personality, 77(1), 23–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00537.x
• Newsome, W. S. (2005). The impact of solution-focused brief therapy with at-risk junior high school students. Children & Schools, 27(2), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/27.2.83
• Patterson, J. M., & McCubbin, H. I. (1987). Adolescent coping style and behaviors: Conceptualization and measurement. Journal of Adolescence, 10(2), 163–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-1971(87)80086-6
• Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff, K. D., & Van Gucht, D. (2011). Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the self-compassion scale. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 18(3), 250–255. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.702
• Reichenberg, L. W., & Seligman, L. (2016). Selecting effective treatments: A comprehensive, systematic guide to treating mental disorders. Wiley.
• Sarı, A., & Yıldırım, R. (2018). Adaptation of the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form into Turkish: A validity and reliability study (Unpublished master’s thesis). Sakarya University, Institute of Educational Sciences.
• Sarıçam, H. (2014). The effect of an intervention program based on the solution-focused brief approach on rumination (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Sakarya University, Institute of Educational Sciences.
• Siyez, D. M. (2010). Problem behaviors in adolescents. Pegem Academy.
• Şimşek, N., Akça, N. K., & Şimşek, M. (2015). Hopelessness and internet addiction among high school students. TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 14(1), 7–14.
• Temel, M. (2015). The relationship between perceived maternal parenting and psychological distress during adolescence: The moderating effect of self-compassion (Unpublished master’s thesis). Bahçeşehir University, Institute of Social Sciences.
• Tuna, D. (2012). The effect of an anger management training program based on the solution-focused brief approach on high school students’ anger control and communication skills (Unpublished master’s thesis). Dokuz Eylül University, Institute of Educational Sciences.
• White, S. H. (2002). G. Stanley Hall: From philosophy to developmental psychology. In W. E. Pickren & D. A. Dewsbury (Eds.), Evolving perspectives on the history of psychology (pp. 279–302). American Psychological Association.
• Yıldırım, A. (2022). Self-compassion practices in psychological research. Ankara University Press.
• Yılmaz-Bingöl, T. (2015). The effect of a group guidance program based on the solution-focused brief approach on self-efficacy beliefs (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Sakarya University, Institute of Educational Sciences.
• Yüncü, Z., Saatçioğlu, H., Aydın, C., Özbaran, N. B., Altıntoprak, E., & Köse, S. (2014). An urban myth: Is the age of onset of substance use decreasing? Literature Symposium Journal, 1(4), 43–50.