Aging, Quality of Life
Conditions
Keywords
Older Adult, Psychological Well-being, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Brief interventions, Psychological flexibility
Brief summary
The current study aims to explore the impact of a two-session group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention compared to an assessment-only control on psychological outcomes in healthy older adults. The proposed study has two main objectives. 1. Examine the impact the intervention on targeted ACT processes over time 2. Examine the impact of the intervention on aspects of eudaimonic well-being over time
Detailed description
Older adults are a growing segment of our population, and this period of life presents a variety of physical, emotional, environmental, and cognitive changes, even for healthy individuals. The current study aims to explore the impact of a two-session group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention compared to an assessment-only control on psychological outcomes in healthy, community-dwelling older adults. Participants will be randomly assigned (stratified by sex) to the ACT group condition or to an assessment-only control group. After randomization, those in the assessment-only control group will be asked to complete four assessments via mail (baseline, one-month, three-month, and six-month). The intervention group will participate in a brief group ACT intervention occurring over two sessions (90 minutes each, approximately one week apart). Intervention participants will also complete assessments at baseline and at one-month, three-months, and six-months post-intervention. The specific aims and hypotheses of the current study are: Specific Aim #1: To examine longitudinal between-group differences in targeted ACT processes including psychological flexibility (openness to experience, behavioral awareness, and valued action) and satisfaction with social roles and activities from baseline to follow-up. We hypothesize that there will be significant time by group interaction, such that psychological flexibility and satisfaction with social roles and activities will increase significantly more in the intervention group relative to the assessment-only control group. Specific Aim #2: To examine longitudinal between-group differences in eudaimonic well-being (purpose in life and personal growth) from baseline to follow-up. We hypothesize that there will be significant time by group interactions, such that purpose in life and personal growth will increase significantly more in the intervention group relative to the assessment-only control group.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALAcceptance and Commitment Training
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an acceptance- and mindfulness-based psychotherapy that aims to foster psychological flexibility.
Sponsors
Anne Roche, MA
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomized (stratified by sex) to either the ACT workshop group or to the assessment-only control group. Participants in the ACT group will complete two 90-minute group workshops (scheduled approximately one week apart) and will complete a baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up assessment. Participants in the time-matched assessment only-group will complete assessments at baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* healthy, community-dwelling older adult (age 65-99)
Exclusion criteria
* significant primary psychiatric disease * medications that have the potential to affect cognitive functioning * neurological events
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Differences in change over time between conditions on The Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes (CompACT) | baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-intervention follow-up | The CompACT is a self-report measure of psychological flexibility. Total scores on the measure range from 0-138 with higher scores indicative of greater psychological flexibility. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Differences in change over time between conditions on the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System's (PROMIS) 8-item Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities scale | baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-intervention follow-up | The PROMIS 8-item Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities scale is a self-report measure. Total scores on the measure are converted to T scores. |
| Differences in change over time between conditions on the Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being 14-item Purpose in Life Scale | baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-intervention follow-up | Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being 14-item Purpose in Life Scale is a self-report measure. Total scores range from 14-84, with higher scores indicative of greater purpose in life. |
| Differences in change over time between conditions on the Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being 14-item Personal Growth Scale | baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-intervention follow-up | Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being 14-item Personal Growth Scale is a self-report measure. Total scores range from 14-84, with higher scores indicative of greater personal growth. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed