The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention

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

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Key information

Conditions

Mental Disorder Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Behavior Depression Disorders Mental Disorders Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being Stress

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Atatürk Üniversitesi

Erzurum, Ağrı, 04100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

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.

Treatment and study plan

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based psychoeducation program

Behavioral

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.

Primary outcomes

Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21)

Time frame: 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ataturk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Psychological Well-Being Levels in University Students

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Mar 20, 2025
Registry last updated: Mar 20, 2025

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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed