The effectiveness of group application of acceptance and commitment therapy on anxiety, depression, and stress among high school female students

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the method is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on anxiety, depression, and perceived stress among girls (18–15 years) in Isfahan. METHODS: Semi-experimental study with pre- and post-test and follow-up with the control group. Multi-stage random cluster sampling from three training and education of 30 students with the highest scores on three scales of anxiety, depression, and stress were selected and randomly assigned into two groups (n = 15) and control group (15 subjects). Training as a group in eight sessions (one session a week for 60 min) was performed on the experimental group. Moreover, all the participants before the start of training, after training and after 45 days as a follow-up period, Lavyb and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 questionnaire (1995) was completed. To analyze the data, analysis of variance with repeated measures was used. RESULTS: The results showed that the subjects' perceived stress in the track slightly increased, but the increase was not statistically significant. Therefore, based on ACT group therapy in reducing depression, anxiety, and perceived stress and posttraining follow-up period had an impact. Moreover, perceived stress levels have increased significantly in the little track time, but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Based on ACT group therapy on depression, anxiety and posttraining follow-up period have been reduced (P > 0.05). The results of this study, based on ACT group therapy to improve rates of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress among girl student (18–15 years) of treatment is recommended.