Gentle Mind—A Podcast on Self-Compassion and Character Strengths to Enhance Well-Being in University Students: A Controlled Feasibility Study

Digital psychological interventions have emerged as accessible and scalable approaches for promoting mental well-being among university students. The present study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of two interventions focused on self-compassion and character strengths among university students, a podcast-only intervention and a blended intervention combining podcasts with online group sessions, compared with a passive control group. Fifty-eight Italian university students were randomly assigned to a podcast intervention, a blended intervention, or a passive control group. Participants completed measures of self-compassion, perceived stress, and perfectionism at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Linear mixed models were used to examine changes over time and differences between groups. Results showed significant improvements in self-compassion in both intervention groups, with larger and more sustained effects in the blended condition. The blended intervention also produced significant reductions in perceived stress and maladaptive perfectionism standards, whereas the podcast-only intervention was associated with improvements primarily in self-compassion and delayed reductions in stress. No significant changes emerged in the control group. Descriptive data also revealed high levels of participants’ engagement and good acceptability of the intervention in both intervention groups, with marginally higher scores in the blended group. These findings suggest that podcast-based interventions may offer a feasible and accessible entry point to mental health support, while guided group activities may build on these initial gains to enhance well-being and reduce psychological distress.