The Effectiveness of Commitment and Acceptance Therapy (ACT) on Self-Compassion

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) program on self-compassion in mothers of children with intellectual disabilities.

Methods and Materials:

 The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up, including a control group. The statistical population consisted of all mothers aged 20 to 50 years with trainable intellectually disabled children who attended the educational and rehabilitation centers for children with intellectual disabilities in Shiraz in the second half of 2022. Thirty participants were selected based on inclusion criteria through purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 (experimental and control groups). The ACT intervention was conducted for each mother in 10 sessions of 90 minutes, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. The research instrument included the Self-Compassion Scale. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

The results indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the post-test and follow-up stages. The ACT intervention led to an increase in self-compassion levels in mothers of children with intellectual disabilities, and this therapeutic effect remained stable at the follow-up stage (P<0.05).

Based on the findings of the present study, the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention can be effective in enhancing self-compassion among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities. It is recommended that therapists and counselors incorporate this therapy alongside other interventions to improve self-compassion in these mothers.