اثربخشی درمان مبتنی بر پذیرش و تعهد بر دشواری تنظیم هیجان و افکار خودآیند منفی در بیماران مبتلا به اختلالات اضطرابی

علیرضا صالحی; سارا  شیرمحمدی; معصومه حسنی

Authors

Alireza Salehi The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on difficulty regulating emotions and negative automatic thoughts in patients with anxiety disorders Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8188-3294
Sara Shirmohammadi Department of General Psychology, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3809-7612
Masoumeh Hassani Master’s Degree in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Corresponding author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1323-4539

Keywords:

Acceptance and commitment therapy, difficulty regulating emotions, negative automatic thoughts, anxiety disorders

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on difficulties in emotion regulation and negative automatic thoughts among patients with anxiety disorders. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and a two-month follow-up assessment alongside a control group. The statistical population consisted of patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders who attended counseling centers, psychological clinics, and mental health centers in Tehran during 2025. Following screening procedures, 30 eligible participants with elevated scores on emotion regulation difficulties and negative automatic thoughts were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group received ten 90-minute sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, whereas the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 26. The results indicated significant main effects of group and time, as well as a significant group × time interaction for both difficulties in emotion regulation and negative automatic thoughts (p < .001). For difficulties in emotion regulation, the interaction effect was significant (F = 36.48, η² = .566). Similarly, for negative automatic thoughts, a significant interaction effect was observed (F = 34.82, η² = .555). Mean comparisons demonstrated substantial reductions in emotion regulation difficulties and negative automatic thoughts from pretest to posttest in the experimental group, with these improvements largely maintained at the two-month follow-up. In contrast, the control group exhibited minimal changes across assessment phases. The findings suggest that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an effective intervention for reducing difficulties in emotion regulation and negative automatic thoughts among individuals with anxiety disorders. By fostering psychological flexibility, enhancing acceptance of internal experiences, reducing experiential avoidance, and promoting cognitive defusion, ACT contributes to meaningful emotional and cognitive improvements. Therefore, incorporating ACT into counseling services and mental health settings may provide substantial benefits for patients experiencing anxiety-related difficulties.

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