The Effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on happiness of nurses in pediatric intensive care units: a quasi-experimental study

Happiness is associated with accuracy and job satisfaction of nurses and affects the quality of care. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on happiness of nurses in pediatric intensive care units.

A quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design was performed on 60 nurses working in Mofid Hospital and Imam Hossein Hospital. The intervention group received 8 sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy. Data were collected using demographic information questionnaire and Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

In the pre-test, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean of happiness (p>0.05). Comparison of the happiness in the intervention group showed that there was a significant difference in the mean of this variable and its dimensions after the intervention (p <0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the control group regarding happiness and its dimensions except the positive mood. By 0.409, 0.397, 0.294 and 0.346 of the variance of happiness and dimensions of life satisfaction, self- esteem, and positive energy, respectively, were explained by the independent variable.

Acceptance and commitment therapy has improved nurseschr('39') happiness. This intervention is an applicable, uncomplicated, and effective approach that can be introduced to hospitals as a professional development program by competent authorities.