Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Investigating Problem-Solving in Family Therapy Using the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 M.A. in Positive Psychology, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran
3 B.A., Elementary School Teacher, Pishva Campus, Farhangian University, Pishva, Varamin, Iran
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate problem-solving in families using the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach. This semi-experimental study utilized a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group. From among clients who voluntarily attended five counseling centers in Tehran, 30 individuals were selected as a convenient sample and randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The ACT-based therapeutic program was conducted in 10 group counseling sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. Data were collected using the Heppner and Petersen Problem-Solving Inventory. Results showed a significant impact of the ACT approach on problem-solving skills, with an effect size of 0.72. A significant difference was observed between the posttest scores of the experimental and control groups, with an effect size of 0.77. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) confirmed the effectiveness of the intervention on problem-solving skills, yielding a statistically significant F-value of 9.58 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the follow-up results indicated that the therapeutic effects of the intervention were sustained over time.
Keywords

  • Goldenberg, H., & Goldenberg, I. (2020). Family therapy: An overview (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
  • Murrell, A. R., & Scherbarth, A. J. (2011). State of the research and literature address: ACT with children, adolescents and parents. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 7(1), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100939
  • Codd, R. T., Branson, A., & Brown, R. (2020). ACT for families: A pilot trial of acceptance and commitment therapy in family-based treatment. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 15, 180–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.01.005
  • Farzaneh, A., Marzieh, S., & Abed, M. (2021). A comparative study on the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and schema therapy (ST) on problem solving styles in people with heart diseases. Romanian Society for Cell Biology. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355163076
  • Veshki, S. K., Shafiabady, A., & Farzad, V. (2017). A comparison of the effectiveness of cognitive–behavioral couple therapy and acceptance and commitment couple therapy in the couple's conflict. Jundishapur Journal. http://dr-a-shafiabadi.ir/...
  • Kashefi, Z., & Honarparvaran, N. (2015). Effectiveness of ACT on reducing marital conflict among working couples in Isfahan. Journal of Biological and Allied Sciences, 9(4), 30–36.
  • Shahabi, A., & Rahmati, A. (2021). The effect of acceptance and commitment and problem-solving skills training on reducing emotional divorce. Journal of Community Health Research, 10(3), 203–210. https://publish.kne-publishing.com/index.php/JCHR/article/view/8336
  • Mousavi Haghighi, S. E., Rishehri, P., & Rezaei, R. (2022). Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and integrated behavioral couples therapy on intimacy and family functioning in divorce-seeking couples. Journal of Research and Health, 12(2), 151–160.
  • Ghahari, S., Jamil, L., & Farrokhi, N. (2021). Comparing the effects of emotion-focused couple therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on marital conflict and emotion regulation. Practice in Clinical Psychology, 9(1), 27–34.
  • Vahid, F., & Ebrahimi, M. E. (2024). Comparing the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and reality therapy on parent-child relationship. Avicenna Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. http://ajnpp.umsha.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-958-1
  • Motamedi, H., & Samavi, A. (2019). Comparing ACT and CBT in improving emotional self-efficacy of family members. Iranian Evolutionary Educational Psychology Journal, 1(2), 57–66.
  • Parvin, A., Dehghan, A., & Masoumi, A. (2024). The effect of ACT on stigma and family functioning in psychiatric patients’ families. BMC Psychiatry, 24, 188. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-024-06114-2
  • Han, A., Yuen, H. K., & Lee, H. Y. (2020). Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on process measures of family caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 105–115.
  • Zarling, A., & Berta, M. (2017). An acceptance and commitment therapy approach for partner aggression. Partner Abuse, 8(3), 231–251.
  • Greco, L. A., & Eifert, G. H. (2004). Treating parent-adolescent conflict: Is acceptance the missing link for an integrative family therapy? Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 11(3), 305–314.
  • Gonçalves, M. M. (2023). Acceptance and commitment therapy and its unacknowledged influences: Some old wine in a new bottle? Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 30(2), 134–145.
  • Han, A., Yuen, H. K., Jenkins, J. (2021). Acceptance and commitment therapy for family caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(2), 222–238.
  • Bodden, D. H. M., & Matthijssen, D. (2021). A pilot study examining the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy as parent counseling. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(1), 45–55.
  • Byrne, G., Ó Ghráda, Á., & O’Mahony, T. (2021). A systematic review of the use of acceptance and commitment therapy in supporting parents. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 94(3), 491–510.
  • Harris, R. (2019). ACT made simple: An easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
  • Barraca, J., Polanski, T., & Duarte-Diaz, A. (2025). Acceptance and commitment therapy for couples: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 30, 101–110.
Volume 6, Issue 3
Summer 2024
Pages 152-162

  • Receive Date 07 May 2024
  • Revise Date 10 June 2024
  • Accept Date 17 August 2024