Citation

Na E, Lee KU, Jeon BH, Jo C, Kwak UH, Jeon Y, Yang K, Lee EJ, Jeong J. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(24).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph192416434

PMID

36554315

PMCID

PMC9779048

Abstract

This study is a preliminary study on an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program that mitigates destructive experiential avoidance (DEA) behaviors, including self-harm behavior and addiction; Methods: Twenty participants aged 15-25 years who had confirmed DEA behavior within the last month participated in a total of six sessions of ACT. Demographic characteristics, history of psychiatric illness, and TYPES and patterns of DEA behavior were confirmed in the baseline survey. The severity of clinical symptoms, frequency of DEA behavior and impulsivity, characteristics of experiential avoidance (EA) behavior, depression, and quality of life (QOL) were measured before and after the program for comparative statistical tests using the intention-to-treat method. Furthermore, the severity of clinical symptoms was evaluated after each program, along with the frequency of DEA behavior and trends in impulsivity, which were investigated based on the behavior log; Results: After the ACT program, both the frequency of DEA behavior and impulsivity and the severity of clinical symptoms, depression, and anxiety decreased significantly. Furthermore, among the EA characteristics, pain aversion, distraction and inhibition, and delayed behavior significantly improved. Moreover, the overall QOL, psychological and social relationships, and QOL regarding the environment also improved; Conclusions: The results of this feasibility study demonstrate the potential of the ACT program as an effective intervention in DEA behavior. The results of this study may be used as preliminary data for future large-scale randomized studies.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; adolescents; Feasibility Studies; Affect; alcohol use disorder; deliberate self-harm; acceptance and commitment therapy; behavioral addiction; *Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Anxiety/psychology; destructive experiential avoidance; Quality of Life/psychology