A Prospective and Experimental Study on Efficacy of One-Day of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Mental Health Among University Students. a Psychological Capital Examine As Mediator to the Efficacy of ACT on Mental Health. (ACT)

February 13, 2025 updated by: Akmar Nabila Binti A Bakar, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The Efficacy of a One-Day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Enhancing Mental Health and Psychological Capital Among University Students.

This prospective and experimental study examines the efficacy and feasibility of a one-day ACT intervention on mental health, psychological flexibility, and psychological capital among university students. Other than that, this study examines the mediator role of psychological capital in the mechanism through which Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) improves mental health issues among university students. Animation video efficacy will be examined to determine whether it helps in enhancing students' understanding of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

The main questions it aims to answer are:-

  1. What are the correlation between psychological capital, psychological flexibility, depression and anxiety?
  2. How does one-day ACT intervention affect mental health (depression and anxiety) and psychological capital among university students?
  3. Does psychological capital mediate the effect of psychological flexibility on mental health issues among university students
  4. Do video presentations improve the understanding of ACT concepts?
  5. Is one-day ACT intervention feasible to be implemented among university students?

Researchers will compare to see if there are any differences between the intervention group and waitlist groups of university students' levels of depression, anxiety, psychological flexibility and psychological capital.

Participants will:

  • Participate in a one-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention.
  • Answer questionnaires at four (4) different phases.
  • Follow up after one month and answer survey questions about the effect of ACT on their mental health level.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This is a prospective and experimental study. A prospective study approach is used to examine the changes in outcome measures along with the data collection timeline. Data will be collected at four different points: screening (T1), pre-intervention (T2), post-intervention (T3), and one month after intervention (T4). This is an experimental study, a randomized control trials study, and consists of two arms: a one-day ACT intervention and waitlist groups. The efficacy of a one-day ACT intervention will be evaluated using a randomized controlled trial approach by comparing the differences between intervention and waiting groups.

This is a prospective and experimental study. A prospective study approach is used to examine the changes in outcome measures along with the data collection timeline.

Data will be collected at four different points: screening (T1), pre-intervention (T2), post-intervention (T3), and one month after intervention (T4).

This is an experimental study, a randomized control trials study, and consists of two arms: a one-day ACT intervention and waitlist groups. The efficacy of a one-day ACT intervention will be evaluated using a randomized controlled trial approach by comparing the differences between intervention and waiting groups.

(T1) - Preliminary phase - A set of questionnaires of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) will be distributed through the student portal for screening. Potential participants who score moderate and above will be invited to the One-Day ACT intervention. The details of potential participants will be recorded.

(T2) - During pre-intervention, participants will be divided into two groups: a waitlist and a group that will receive batteries of questionnaires. The questionnaires included the demographic survey, BAI, BDI, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II) and Psychological Capital Questionnaires (PCQ) to participants before receiving ACT intervention. Those who answer the questionnaires will receive a One-Day ACT intervention. In addition, respondents will be fully informed regarding the objectives and procedure of this research, and consent information will be gathered.

One-Day Intervention: -

A one-day ACT intervention will be conducted in three sessions, each lasting 40 minutes. The intervention is based on a module developed by Shari et al. (2020) and aims to help respondents manage their issues, such as unpleasant thoughts and feelings.

The first session will build a therapeutic relationship and icebreaking, using animated video (unwanted guest) presentations to explain how ACT can help manage issues.

The second session will focus on acceptance and defusion concepts, emphasizing the importance of letting go of unproductive emotion-control techniques by using animated video (response ability)

The third session, 'Show Up', will increase awareness of undesirable thoughts and feelings through structured mindfulness exercises and observing surroundings. The therapist will explain the metaphor of dropping the anchor and emphasize the importance of being present and aware of oneself.

The final session, 'Get Moving', will connect values to practical action plans, using animated video (Values VS Goals) presentations to help respondents define their values and identify significant life steps.

(T3) - post-intervention, where a one-day ACT intervention has been done and a set of questionnaires distributed to participants. The questionnaires include BAI, BDI, AAQ-II, PCQ, and Treatment satisfaction questionnaire and Learner Acceptance scale will be used to measure the effectiveness of video presentation used during intervention.

(T4) - After one month of intervention, this phase will follow up with the participants who undergo One-Day ACT intervention by answering BAI, BDI, AAQ-II and PCQ questionnaires.

All data collected will be analysed using SPSS 26 to examine the research objective and hypothesis.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

134

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Malaysia
    • Johor
      • Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, 81310
        • Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Local Malaysian Students
  • 18 years old and above
  • Students who score moderate and above for Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) during screening phase.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • International students
  • Those who received or are undergoing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Those who have psychosis

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention
This group will receive one-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The therapy include 4 sessions that explain and guide participants to understand the concept of ACT and apply in their daily life for the purpose of enhancing good mental health.
Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

A one-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will be held with three (3) sessions. The sessions start with ice breaking, and follow by,

The first session will build a therapeutic relationship and icebreaking, using animated video (unwanted guest) presentations to explain how ACT can help manage issues.

The second session will focus on acceptance and defusion concepts, emphasizing the importance of letting go of unproductive emotion-control techniques by using animated video (response ability)

The third session, 'Show Up', will increase awareness of undesirable thoughts and feelings through structured mindfulness exercises and observing surroundings. The therapist will explain the metaphor of dropping the anchor and emphasize the
Other: Waitlist Group
After one month, the waitlist group will receive the same intervention to ensure the result of efficacy of one-day acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in the intervention group can be compared with the waitlist group.
Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

A one-day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will be held with three (3) sessions. The sessions start with ice breaking, and follow by,

The first session will build a therapeutic relationship and icebreaking, using animated video (unwanted guest) presentations to explain how ACT can help manage issues.

The second session will focus on acceptance and defusion concepts, emphasizing the importance of letting go of unproductive emotion-control techniques by using animated video (response ability)

The third session, 'Show Up', will increase awareness of undesirable thoughts and feelings through structured mindfulness exercises and observing surroundings. The therapist will explain the metaphor of dropping the anchor and emphasize the

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
A one-day ACT intervention is effective in enhancing mental health
Time Frame: Before and after participate the one-day acceptance and commitment therapy.
The efficacy of ACT on mental health among university student will be measure by using Beck anxiety and Beck Depression Inventory pre and post of the intervention between intervention and waitlist group. We will compare the result (changes) between pre-intervention and post-intervention between waitlist and intervention. Effect size also will be calculated.
Before and after participate the one-day acceptance and commitment therapy.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Psychological capital and psychological flexibility.
Time Frame: Before and after participate the one-day acceptance and commitment therapy.
Psychological capital will be measured using the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ). Meanwhile Psychological flexibility is measured by using the Acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ II)
Before and after participate the one-day acceptance and commitment therapy.
Psychological flexibility mediates the mechanism through which ACT improves mental health issues among university students.
Time Frame: Before and after participate the one-day acceptance and commitment therapy.
Mediation analysis is calculated by using PROCESS macro Version 3.5 developed by Andrew F. Hayes. Single mediator model will be used to analyse total, direct, and indirect effect of the mediator variables
Before and after participate the one-day acceptance and commitment therapy.

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Video presentations are effective in improving understanding of the ACT concepts.
Time Frame: Before and after participate the one-day acceptance and commitment therapy.
The score from the survey of The Learning Acceptance Scale will be calculated to determine the efficacy of video presentations in enhancing the understanding of ACT concepts. The score is...
Before and after participate the one-day acceptance and commitment therapy.
A one-day ACT intervention is feasible to be implemented in enhancing mental health and psychological capital among university students
Time Frame: After participate a one-day acceptance and commitment therapy
The score for The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire and at T3 will be computed into the total score to determine the level of satisfaction toward the therapy and the therapist.
After participate a one-day acceptance and commitment therapy

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

February 28, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 13, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 13, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 13, 2025

Last Verified

February 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UTMREC-2024-83
  • Q.J130000.3853.31J93 (Other Grant/Funding Number: UTMER)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

In the inform consent, we agreed to keep the information private and confidential.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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