The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Depression and Sexual Conflict in Adolescents

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on depression and sexual conflict in adolescents. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design with a follow-up assessment. The statistical population consisted of adolescents aged 15–18 years living in Tehran during the 1404–1405 academic year. Forty eligible adolescents were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group, with 20 participants in each group. The experimental group received eight weekly 90-minute group sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, whereas the control group received no structured psychological intervention. Data were collected at pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and a sexual conflict questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance with repeated measures and Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons in SPSS version 27. The time × group interaction was significant for depression (F=62.09, p<0.001, partial η²=0.620). A significant time × group interaction was also found for sexual conflict (F=74.37, p<0.001, partial η²=0.662). Pairwise comparisons showed significant reductions in both depression and sexual conflict from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up in the experimental group (p<0.001). However, the posttest-to-follow-up differences were not significant for depression (p=0.418) or sexual conflict (p=0.372), indicating maintenance of treatment gains. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy appears to be effective in reducing depression and sexual conflict among adolescents, and its effects remained relatively stable at follow-up. The intervention may be useful for improving psychological flexibility and helping adolescents respond more adaptively to difficult thoughts and emotions.