The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Anxiety and Self-efficacy of Children: A Single-Case Experimental Design

Somayeh Nekooei; Zabihollah Abbaspour; Amin Koraei

doi:10.18502/qjcr.v21i81.9492

Somayeh Nekooei Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
Zabihollah Abbaspour Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
Amin Koraei Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University. , Ahvaz, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/qjcr.v21i81.9492

Keywords: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), child anxiety, self-efficacy of children.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Anxiety and Self-efficacy of children among children with anxiety. Methods: The statistical population consisted of all children diagnose with anxiety in Ahvaz. The research sample consisted of 3 children that were selected according to the results of the Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) , using purposeful sampling method. In this research, a single-case experimental design, type of non-concurrent multiple baseline designs was used. To evaluate the anxiety, Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) and self-Efficacy - Children's Self-Efficacy Scale were used. The data was collected in three phases of baseline, during intervention, and one month follow-up. Findings: The findings indicate that the subjects in the treatment phase experienced improvement in anxiety (30/96) and self-efficacy (28/13), and in the follow-up in regards to anxiety (38/44) and self-efficacy (32/25). The change index was indicative of meaningful changes (z=1/95 α=0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, the research findings illustrated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy reduces anxiety and increases children's self-efficacy by increasing psychological flexibility and reducing dysfunctional reactions.