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

Kylie J. Smith; Lisa N. Oxman; Louise Hayes

doi:10.1017/jgc.2019.33

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

Kylie J. Smith^*, Lisa N. Oxman, Louise Hayes

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	248-254
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools
Volume	30
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/jgc.2019.33
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2020

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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.",

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

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