No Disease
Conditions
Keywords
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Web-Based ACT Intervention, Psychological Flexibility, Well-Being, Quality of Life, Mindfulness, Randomized Controlled Trial, University Students, Pakistan
Brief summary
University students frequently experience psychological distress, reduced wellbeing, and academic challenges associated with the transition to higher education. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a culturally adapted web-based intervention based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving an eight-session online mindfulness program or a wait-list control group. The intervention was designed to improve mindfulness, psychological flexibility, wellbeing, quality of life, and academic functioning. Outcomes were assessed using standardized self-report measures administered before and after the intervention. The study examined whether participation in the intervention resulted in significant improvements compared with the wait-list control condition.
Detailed description
University students commonly encounter academic, social, and personal stressors that increase their risk of psychological distress and negatively affect wellbeing and academic performance. Although mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes, evidence regarding culturally adapted web-based interventions for Pakistani university students remains limited. This study developed and evaluated a culturally appropriate web-based intervention grounded in the six core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), including acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action. The intervention was delivered online over eight weekly sessions and included psychoeducation, mindfulness exercises, breathing practices, experiential activities, and home assignments. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among undergraduate psychology students enrolled at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad. Participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group or a wait-list control group. Standardized measures of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, wellbeing, quality of life, academic psychological capital, work engagement, and general psychological health were administered before and after the intervention to evaluate its effectiveness.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWeb-based ACT intervention for University Students
Participants received an eight-session web-based intervention based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The intervention was delivered online and included psychoeducation, mindfulness meditation practices, breathing exercises, experiential activities, values clarification, acceptance and cognitive defusion exercises, present-moment awareness, self-as-context activities, committed action tasks, and weekly home practice assignments. Each session was designed to enhance mindfulness, psychological flexibility, wellbeing, and quality of life among university students
Sponsors
National University of Modern Languages
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the web-based ACT intervention group or a wait-list control group. Both groups completed baseline and post-intervention assessments. The intervention group received an eight-session web-based ACT program, while the wait-list control group received no intervention during the study period and was offered the intervention after study completion.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Undergraduate university students enrolled at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad. Aged 18 years or older. Able to read and understand English and Urdu (or the language used for the intervention and questionnaires). Willing to participate and provide written informed consent. Able to access the internet and complete the web-based intervention activities.
Exclusion criteria
Participants currently receiving any psychological treatment or psychotherapy. Participants with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder that would interfere with participation. Participants unable to complete the web-based intervention or study assessments. Participants who did not provide informed consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in wellbeing scores measured by the WHO-Five-Well-being Index | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks) | Wellbeing was assessed at baseline and immediately after completion of the eight-session web-based intervention. |
| Change in mindfulness scores measured by the Five facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ) | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks) | Mindfulness was assessed at baseline and immediately after completion of the eight-session web-based intervention. |
| Change in Psychological Flexibility score measured by the Acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ-II) | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks) | It was administered at baseline and immediately after completion of the eight-session web-based intervention. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Quality of Life score measured by the WHOQOL | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks) | it was assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention. |
| Change in Academic Psychological Capital score measured by Academic Psychological Capital Questionnaire | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks) | Academic Psychological Capital was measured before and after the intervention. |
| Change in Academic Engagement score measured by Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for students (UWES) | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks) | Academic engagement was assessed before and after the intervention. before and after the intervention. |
| Change in Mental Health score measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) | Baseline and immediately post-intervention (8 weeks) | Mental health scores were assessed before and after the intervention. |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
STUDY_CHAIRAsia Mushtaq
National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad
Outcome results
None listed