Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Flexibility and Negative Automatic Thoughts (NAT) of Students at Islamic Azad University

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
S. Mohammad Mahdi 1
M. H. Torkzadeh 2
A. Salehi 3
A. Ayoub 4
1 Ph.D. in Health Psychology, Graduate of the Comprehensive Course in Psychiatry and Mental Health from the University of Sydney, Australia
2 Master of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran Branch, Iran
3 Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychiatry Resident, Graduate of the Comprehensive Course in Neuropsychiatry from Harvard University, USA
4 Researcher, Ph.D. in Sociology, Graduate of the Comprehensive Course in Resilience from the University of Pennsylvania, USA
10.47176/TDASS.2022.147
Abstract
Background and Objective: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), one of the third-wave psychological approaches, has shown promise in modifying individuals’ perceptions of stressors by fostering acceptance of thoughts and emotions and commitment to change. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ACT on psychological flexibility and negative automatic thoughts (NAT) among students at Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran Branch. Method: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and control group was employed. The statistical population included all postgraduate students in the academic year 1400–1401, from which 30 participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The student-Academic Commitment Questionnaire (SACQ; Baker & Siryak, 1984) measured psychological flexibility, while the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ; Holon & Kendall, 1980) assessed negative automatic thoughts. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: Findings indicated that ACT produced significant improvements in psychological flexibility and reductions in negative automatic thoughts compared with the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that ACT effectively reduces maladaptive cognitive patterns while enhancing flexibility and adaptability. By lowering psychological distress, ACT promotes resilience and helps students align with personal values, leading to greater well-being. Techniques such as cognitive defusion, acceptance of unpleasant emotions, and value clarification encourage individuals to embrace life challenges while maintaining joy, purpose, and adaptability.
Keywords
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Psychological Flexibility
Negative Automatic Thoughts
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Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science
Volume 4, Issue 3
Summer 2022
Pages 147-156

  • Receive Date 09 June 2022
  • Revise Date 24 August 2022
  • Accept Date 27 September 2022