Sadra Medical Journal

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Reducing High-risk and Harmful Behaviors in Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zahra Alizadeh 1
Abbas Rohani 2

1 Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, Mobarakeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/smsj.2023.97032.1373
Abstract
Introduction: The prevalence of high-risk behaviors in young people is one of the concerns of societies. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment therapy in reducing high-risk and harmful behaviors among high school students in Mobarakeh City.
Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest and posttest design and a control group. The statistical population of the present study included high school students with high-risk behaviors in Mobarakeh city, referred to the education counseling center of this city. Participants included 30 students assigned into two experimental and control groups of 15 students. The Iranian Adolescents’ Risk-taking Scale was administered as a pretest and posttest (2 weeks after the end of the experiment). The experimental group received a 6-session intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy, with each session lasting 90 to 100 minutes. The control group did not receive any intervention.
Results: The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and the results indicated a 56% reduction in risky behaviors (excluding alcohol consumption) among the participating students in the study (P<0.01). 
Conclusion: Acceptance and commitment therapy can enhance students' ability to cope with high-risk behaviors.

Keywords

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Dangerous Behavior
Therapeutics
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Sadra Medical Journal
Volume 11, Issue 4
Autumn 2023
Pages 388-400

Article View 102,540
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