Comparison of Group Psychotherapy Effectiveness based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Matrix with Group Behavioral Activation Therapy on Quality of Life and Alexithymia in Depress Mood Females

Abstract

Background: Research has shown that the incidence of psychological well-being problems among students is on an increasing trend. According to the Pennsylvania State University Center for Public Health Psychology, the number of students seeking mental health help rose by 50% between 2015 and 2016. The present study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of group acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) matrix with group Behavioral Activation Therapy on quality of life and Alexithymia in depress mood females.Methods: In a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group, 45 students with mood depressive disorder were selected following initial clinical evaluation and research conditions. They were randomly divided into three groups of Behavioral Activation Therapy (n=15), ACT matrix (n=15), and control (n=15). The experimental group received six sessions of weekly treatment based on acceptance and commitment employing matrix method with group Behavioral Activation Therapy. All the participants completed the Hamilton Depression Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Alexithymia Scale (AAS-26), in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS V. 23Results: The results revealed that weekly treatment based on acceptance and commitment employing matrix method with group Behavioral Activation treatment positively affected the quality of life F=6.324; P=0.004), and reduced Alexithymia-associated symptoms (F=1.780; P=0.181). The results were maintained in the one-month follow-up phase.Conclusion: Group psychotherapy based on acceptance and commitment through matrix method with group Behavioral Activation Therapy had a significant effect on increasing the quality of life and reducing the symptoms associated with Alexithymia in depressed females.