Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Anxiety, Depression Disorders, Mental Disorder, Psychological Well-being, Stress
Conditions
Brief summary
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
Interventions
BEHAVIORALAcceptance 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.
Sponsors
Ataturk University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) | 8 week | 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. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed