The Effect of Counseling with Acceptance and Commitment Approach on Anxiety related to Puberty of Female Students in Tabriz-A Quasi-Experimental

Abstract

Abstract Context: Adolescence is an stressful time in span of life. Adolescents experience new changes physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on anxiety (primary outcome), depression and quality of life (secondary outcomes) of adolescents. Methods and Material : This was a quasi -experimental study with pre- and post intervention design. One hundred female students aged 16-18 years with mild to moderate anxiety selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from five educational didtricts of Tabriz. During six group counseling sessions, students were consulted with the acceptance and commitment approach according to the protocol. Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory and WHO brief Quality of Life Questionnaire consultationwere completed before, immediately after and eight weeks after the consultation. Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANCOVA. Results: The mean anxiety score decreased significantly immediately after the intervention (mean difference (MD): -4.0, 95% CI: -5.9 to -2.0; p <0.001) and 8 weeks later (MD: -3.9, 95% CI: -5.8 to -1.9; p <0.001). The Mean depression score immediately (p<0.001) and eight weeks after intervention (MD;-4.2, CI:-1.6 to -6.8), p<0.001) declined significantly. The Mean overall quality of life score increased significantly after the intervention (p<0.001) and 8 weeks later )MD: 4.7, 95% CI: 7.1 to 2.3, p<0.001) compared to baseline. Conclusions: Based on the effectiveness of counseling based on ACT on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in the female students with the mild and moderate anxiety over time, it can be used as an helpful method in high schools.