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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07840664

Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Counseling in Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

The goal of this clinical trial was to determine the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles in women with a history of intimate partner violence.

The study included women who sought care at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of a state hospital, had a history of intimate partner violence, met the eligibility criteria, and volunteered to participate. A total of 60 women were assigned to the experimental group (n=30) or control group (n=30) using stratified block randomization.

Data were collected using an Individual Information Form, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form, the Psychological Flexibility Scale, and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire. Data were collected from both groups at two time points, as pre-test and post-test assessments, between October 2023 and January 2024.

Following the pre-test assessments, participants in the experimental group received six sessions of ACT-based counseling, while participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. After completion of the intervention, post-test assessments were administered to both groups. The study compared the experimental and control groups to evaluate the effects of ACT-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles.

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Key information

Conditions

Domestic Violence

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ondokuzmayis University

Samsun, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles in women with a history of intimate partner violence who sought psychiatric care.

The study population consisted of women who applied to the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of a state hospital and had a history of intimate partner violence. Women who met the eligibility criteria and volunteered to participate were included in the study. A total of 60 participants were assigned to the experimental group (n=30) or the control group (n=30) using stratified block randomization.

Before the intervention, pre-test data were collected from participants in both groups using the Individual Information Form, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form, the Psychological Flexibility Scale, and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire.

Prior to the intervention, participants in the experimental group attended a brief preparatory meeting for initial introduction, collection of contact information, and scheduling of the first ACT session. This preparatory meeting was not part of the ACT intervention. Participants subsequently received six sessions of ACT-based counseling at intervals of 7-10 days, with each session lasting approximately 30-60 minutes. The first ACT session was conducted individually and face-to-face in an appropriate room at the psychiatry outpatient clinic, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication using FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp.

Participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. After completion of the six ACT-based counseling sessions, post-test assessments were administered to participants in both the experimental and control groups. Data collection was conducted between October 2023 and January 2024.

The experimental and control groups were compared to evaluate changes in emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles following the intervention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Being over 18 years of age
  • Being literate
  • Having a history of spousal violence
  • Being followed for anxiety problems related to a history of spousal violence
  • Being willing to cooperate and communicate
  • Agreeing to fully participate in the 6-week counseling period

Exclusion criteria

  • Having a previously diagnosed psychiatric disorder
  • Currently receiving another form of psychotherapy
  • Having cognitive impairment
  • Having a comorbid mental disorder
  • Using a language other than Turkish

Treatment and study plan

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Other

The intervention consisted of six Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling sessions conducted at 7-10-day intervals. Each session lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. The first session was conducted individually and face-to-face, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication. The intervention was designed to address emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles.

Primary outcomes

  1. Psychological Flexibility

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)

    Psychological flexibility was assessed using the Psychological Flexibility Scale, adapted into Turkish by Karakuş and Akbay (2020). The scale consists of 28 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1-7), yielding a total score ranging from 28 to 196. Higher total scores indicate greater psychological flexibility. The scale was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.

  2. Decision-Making Self-Esteem and Decision-Making Styles

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)

    Decision-making self-esteem and decision-making styles were assessed using the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (MDMQ I-II), adapted into Turkish by Deniz (2004). Part I consists of 6 items and assesses decision-making self-esteem, with scores ranging from 0 to 12; higher scores indicate higher decision-making self-esteem. Part II consists of 22 items and assesses four decision-making styles: vigilance (score range: 0-12), buck-passing (0-12), procrastination (0-10), and hypervigilance (0-10). Higher scores on each subscale indicate greater use of the respective decision-making style. The questionnaire was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.

  3. Emotion Regulation Difficulties

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)

    Emotion regulation difficulties were assessed using the 16-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF), adapted into Turkish by Yiğit and Guzey Yiğit (2017). Each item is rated on a 5-point scale from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always), yielding a total score ranging from 16 to 80. Higher total scores indicate greater difficulties in emotion regulation. The scale was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.

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Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-Based Counseling on Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Psychological Flexibility, and Decision-Making Styles in Women Seeking Psychiatric Help With a History of Intimate Partner Violence

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Sep 25, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 25, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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