The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of self-compassion training on levels of self-criticism and the sense of psychological coherence in women with depressive syndrome. The research method was applied in terms of purpose and employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all women with depressive syndrome who visited counseling centers in Qom city in 2025. The sample included 30 women selected through convenience sampling and were randomly and equally assigned (15 participants each) to an experimental group and a control group. The instruments used included the Thompson and Zuroff Self-Criticism Scale (2004), the Flensborg-Madsen et al. Sense of Psychological Coherence Questionnaire (2006), and the Gilbert Self-Compassion Training Protocol (2010). Data analysis was conducted using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc test in SPSS version 27. The findings showed that self-compassion training significantly reduced self-criticism and increased the sense of psychological coherence in women with depressive syndrome. Moreover, the intervention had a significant effect on reducing the components of self-criticism (internal and comparative) and increasing the components of psychological coherence (comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness). The results of the Bonferroni post-hoc test indicated a decrease in mean self-criticism scores and an increase in mean psychological coherence scores in the experimental group compared to the control group. Therefore, it can be concluded that self-compassion training is effective in improving mental health indicators among women with depressive syndrome and can be used as a complementary intervention in counseling and treatment centers.
