<p> Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been shown to be an effective alternative therapeutic approach for adults of various presenting problems as well as those with whom traditional forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy have been futile (Asmundson & Hadjstavropolous, 2006; Bach & Hayes, 2002; Clarke, Kingston, James, Bolderston & Remington, 2014; Dimidjian, Hollon, Dobson, Schmaling, Kohlenberg et al., 2006; Martell, Addis, & Dimidjian, 2004). Recently, researchers and theorists have posited about the application of ACT with youth, however, little research has been conducted utilizing quantitative measures of change in psychological flexibility. This article presents a single-subject multiple probe experimental design of ACT adapted for application to adolescents. This study compared outcomes of two therapeutic approaches, ACT modified for adolescents and Treatment as Usual, by assessing changes in values (PVQ II; Blackledge, Ciarrochi, & Bailey, 2005), acceptance (CAMM; Greco & Baer, 2006), defusion (AFQ-Y; Greco, Murrell, & Coyne, 2005), committed action (diary card and direct behavioral observation), and quality of life (YQOL-R; Edwards, Hueber, Connell, & Patrick, 2002). Behavioral changes as observed by parent and teacher report (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004) were assessed at both pre- and post-intervention to provide an objective measure. By the end of treatment, the ACT participant showed a significant decrease in internalizing problems compared to the TAU participant, indicating improvements in psychological flexibility. Change in isolated ACT processes was non-significant between participants. Findings provide evidence supporting previous research suggesting that ACT can be successfully adapted to and may improve the psychological flexibility of adolescents. </p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10112016 |
| Date | 07 June 2016 |
| Creators | Harrington, Lindsey A. |
| Publisher | The Chicago School of Professional Psychology |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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