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Acceptance and commitment therapy as guided self-help for psychological distress and positive mental health: a randomized controlled trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 July 2011

M. Fledderus ,
E. T. Bohlmeijer ,
M. E. Pieterse  and
K. M. G. Schreurs
M. Fledderus*
Affiliation:
University of Twente, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands
E. T. Bohlmeijer
Affiliation:
University of Twente, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands
M. E. Pieterse
Affiliation:
University of Twente, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands
K. M. G. Schreurs
Affiliation:
University of Twente, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands Roessingh Rehabilitation Centre, Enschede, The Netherlands
*
*Address for correspondence: M. Fledderus, M.Sc., University of Twente, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

In order to reduce the high prevalence of depression, early interventions for people at risk of depression are warranted. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an early guided self-help programme based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for reducing depressive symptomatology.

Method

Participants with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology were recruited from the general population and randomized to the self-help programme with extensive email support (n=125), the self-help programme with minimal email support (n=125) or to a waiting list control group (n=126). Participants completed measures before and after the intervention to assess depression, anxiety, fatigue, experiential avoidance, positive mental health and mindfulness. Participants in the experimental conditions also completed these measures at a 3-month follow-up.

Results

In the experimental conditions significant reductions in depression, anxiety, fatigue, experiential avoidance and improvements in positive mental health and mindfulness were found, compared with the waiting list condition (effect sizes Cohen's d=0.51–1.00). These effects were sustained at the 3-month follow-up. There were no significant differences between the experimental conditions on the outcome measures.

Conclusions

The ACT-based self-help programme with minimal email support is effective for people with mild to moderate depressive symptomatology.

Keywords

Acceptance and Commitment Therapydepressionpositive mental healthrandomized controlled trialself-help
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 42 , Issue 3 , March 2012 , pp. 485 - 495
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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