Background & Objectives: Divorced women are among the most vulnerable groups in society who encounter psychosocial, economic, and cultural problems. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on alexithymia, resilience, and mental wellbeing in divorced women.
Methods: This was a quasi–experimental study with pretest–posttest and a control group design. The statistical population of the study included all divorced women referring to the Welfare Organization of Tehran Province, Iran, in 2019 (N=263); of whom, 30 volunteers were selected by targeted sampling method and randomly divided into 2 groups of experimental and control (n=15/group). Both groups completed Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and Mental Wellbeing Questionnaire in the pretest and posttest stages. The experimental group underwent group ACT for 8 sessions; however, the controls received no intervention during this period. In this study, the following ethical considerations were observed: conscious and voluntary consent of the subjects, the possibility of leaving the study, respect for the rights and personality of the subjects, confidentiality, and trustworthiness, researching by the researcher, and compensation for possible risks during the study by the researcher.
Results: The present study findings suggested that the posttest mean scores of alexithymia, decreased in the experimental group, compared to the pre–test stage. Furthermore, the mean posttest scores of resilience, compared to the pretest, also the mean posttest scores of mental wellbeing, compared to the pretest, increased in the experimental group. However, the changes in the posttest mean scores of alexithymia, compared to the pre–test, the mean posttest values of resilience, compared to the pretest, also the mean posttest scores of mental wellbeing, compared to the pretest, were not significant in the control group. Additionally, the obtained results reflected the magnitude of the effects of alexithymia (Eta=0.674), resilience (Eta=0.538), and mental wellbeing (Eta=0.739). Therefore, ACT was effective in reducing alexithymia and increasing resilience and mental wellbeing in divorced women (p˂0.001).
Conclusion: Overall, the current study results suggested that group ACT reduced mood swings in divorced women. Group–based ACT also promoted resilience and mental wellbeing among divorced women. Therefore, to reduce mood swings and increase resilience and mental wellbeing in divorced women, group ACT can be used. The study had the following limitations: Due to time constraints, the long–term follow–up did not affect ACT concerning resilience, mood swings, and mental wellbeing in divorced women. This research was performed on divorced women; thus, caution should be exercised in generalizing research data to other groups. According to the present study findings, based on the effectiveness of group ACT and considering the increasing growth of social harms, especially among women and children of divorce, it is recommended to teach ACT from preschool to university. The continuous form should be included in the textbook so that all society members can get acquainted with it from childhood and enjoy its benefits in individual and social lives. It is also suggested that group ACT training be provided to school educators and counselors to empower them for in–service courses. Given that group ACT was effective for the examined divorced women, it is recommended that the children of divorced women also concurrently receive the same education to adapt to their conditions.