Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Posttraumatic Psychopathology: A Group-Based Telehealth Intervention

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Trauma-related psychopathology requires transdiagnostic treatments.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) shows promise for trauma, but its use in civilian populations needs further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of a virtual, group-based ACT intervention for trauma-exposed civilians.
• To assess the acceptability and clinical effectiveness of ACT for transdiagnostic trauma consequences.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm pilot study involving five female clients (mean age=42.6 years) with a history of criterion A trauma.
• An 11-week virtual, group-based ACT intervention was delivered.
• Pre- and postintervention measures assessed depression, anxiety, PTSD, emotion regulation, quality of life, posttraumatic growth, and experiential avoidance.

Main Results:

• High acceptability was indicated by full completion of the intervention.
• Significant reductions in depression (large effect size) and anxiety (large effect size) were observed.
• Significant increases in emotion regulation and posttraumatic growth were noted, alongside a decrease in experiential avoidance.

Conclusions:

• The virtual, group-based ACT intervention is acceptable for trauma-exposed civilians.
• Initial findings suggest clinical benefits, including reduced depression and anxiety, and enhanced emotion regulation and posttraumatic growth.