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ACT for adolescents: Impact of a pilot group intervention on psychological wellbeing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 April 2020

Kylie J. Smith ,
Lisa N. Oxman  and
Louise Hayes
Kylie J. Smith*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Lisa N. Oxman
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Louise Hayes
Affiliation:
Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: kylie@kyliesmithpsychology.com.au
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Abstract

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has substantial support in adult populations but less among adolescents. To date, very little research has evaluated whether it can be delivered in a highly accessible school context. This study examined a 6-hour, weekly ACT-informed school-based group intervention for adolescent girls, focusing on anxiety, depression and building psychological flexibility. Participants (N = 10) who completed the intervention experienced significantly lowered levels of anxiety and increased psychological flexibility, with postintervention scores for all variables trending in the expected directions. Findings provide preliminary support for the efficacy of the intervention and encourages further evaluation of ACT delivered in schools.

Keywords

acceptance and commitment therapyACTdepressionanxietyadolescents
Type
Practitioner Paper
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , December 2020 , pp. 248 - 254
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Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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