Effectiveness of a Compassion-Focused Group Intervention for NEET Youth in Hong Kong: A Randomised Controlled Trial with a Waitlist Control

NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) youth in Hong Kong face elevated risks of depression and anxiety, alongside shame, self-criticism, reduced hope, and social withdrawal that may maintain avoidance and hinder re-engagement with education or work. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, manualised compassion-focused, group-based intervention targeted youth aged 15-24 delivered in community/NGO settings. Using a two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial (RCT) with waitlist control (n=100; 1:1 allocation), participants will complete validated Chinese measures at baseline (T0), immediate post-intervention after Session 6 (T1), and three-month follow-up (T2). Primary outcomes are depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7). Secondary outcomes include self-compassion, self-criticism/self-reassurance, self-esteem, hope, perceived social support, help-seeking intention, and functioning (e.g., work and social adjustment). Quantitative analyses will follow intention-to-treat principles using ANCOVA adjusting for baseline. To assess sustained effects and implementation relevance, focus groups with a purposive subsample of intervention participants will be conducted at T2 and analysed thematically. Findings will inform scalable, evidence-based youth mental health support within Hong Kong’s NGO service context. Findings will generate publishable evidence on compassion-focused interventions for NEET youth and support submission to peer-reviewed international journals.