The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Psychological Well-Being Levels in University Students

Mental health is essential for students' emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. University life presents significant academic, social, and financial challenges, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. These psychological difficulties negatively impact students' academic performance, relationships, and overall quality of life. Despite these challenges, many students avoid seeking professional help.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective approach that enhances psychological resilience and helps individuals cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. Instead of changing negative thoughts, ACT fosters psychological flexibility, encouraging individuals to develop a healthier relationship with them. Research supports ACT's effectiveness in reducing psychological distress, improving emotional regulation, and enhancing life satisfaction

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Stress; Anxiety; Mental Disorder; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Psychological Well-being; Depression Disorders
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based psychoeducation program

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Ağrı
    • Erzurum, Ağrı, Turkey, 04100
      • Atatürk Üniversitesi

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• ust be currently enrolled as a full-time student at a university.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with significant cognitive impairments or those unable to understand the study procedures.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Group; No intervention group
Experimental: ACT Intervention Group; The group receiving Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based intervention.	Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based psychoeducation program; This study implements an ACT-based psychological intervention designed to enhance psychological well-being and reduce depression, anxiety, and stress among university students. The intervention consists of structured sessions focusing on psychological flexibility, mindfulness, acceptance, and value-driven actions. Participants engage in experiential exercises, cognitive defusion techniques, and behavioral commitment strategies. The intervention is delivered over 8 weeks, with weekly sessions lasting approximately 40 minutes. The sessions are conducted in groups by trained professionals.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21)	DASS-21 is the short version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-42 (DASS-42) developed by Lovibond and Lovibond. The Turkish adaptation of the scale was made by Sarıçam. The 4-point Likert-type scale includes a total of 21 items consisting of three sub-dimensions: depression, anxiety and stress. In the normal sample, test-retest reliability coefficients were found to be r=0.68 for depression, r=0.66 for anxiety and r=0.61 for stress. An individual's score of 5 and above on the depression sub-scale, 4 and above on the anxiety sub-scale and 8 and above on the stress sub-scale is interpreted as indicating the relevant psychological problem.	8 week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ataturk University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 28, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): March 10, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 12, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 18, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 18, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Depression; Mental Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: E-95531838-050.99-124695

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

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