Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Self-Awareness and Psychological Distress in Individuals with Depressive Disorder

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on self-awareness and psychological distress among individuals diagnosed with depressive disorder. This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of individuals with depressive disorder who attended counseling centers in Tehran in 2025. Thirty participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Data were collected using the Nystrom and Davis Self-Awareness Questionnaire and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). The experimental group received eight weekly 90-minute ACT sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). ANCOVA results revealed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in self-awareness after controlling for pretest scores (F=9.86, p<0.01). The mean self-awareness score in the experimental group increased from 22.53 at pretest to 30.60 at posttest. A significant group difference was also observed for psychological distress (F=10.25, p<0.01), with the experimental group showing a reduction from 36.48 at pretest to 26.60 at posttest. These findings indicate that ACT significantly improved self-awareness and reduced psychological distress among individuals with depressive disorder. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy enhanced psychological flexibility, promoted acceptance of internal experiences, and reduced experiential avoidance, leading to increased self-awareness and decreased psychological distress. The findings support the use of ACT as an effective psychological intervention for improving mental health outcomes in individuals suffering from depressive disorder.