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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Dec 5;19(12):e0313243.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313243. eCollection 2024.

An internet-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy program for anxious affect, depression, and wellbeing: A randomized, parallel, two-group, waitlist-controlled trial in a Middle Eastern sample of college students

Zahir Vally  1 , Harshil Shah  1 , Sabina-Ioana Varga  1 , Widad Hassan  1 , Mariam Kashakesh  1 , Wafa Albreiki  1 , Mai Helmy  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

An internet-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy program for anxious affect, depression, and wellbeing: A randomized, parallel, two-group, waitlist-controlled trial in a Middle Eastern sample of college students

Zahir Vally et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: College students during the young adult years are at elevated risk for the development of anxiety and depressive difficulties. Moreover, a preliminary body of evidence suggests that, for those who reside in Middle Eastern contexts, despite an established need, sociocultural impediments prevent active psychological help-seeking. Internet-delivered, self-directed mental health programs may hold significant promise to alleviate these difficulties in contexts where individuals would otherwise not enlist the support of a mental health practitioner.

Method: The present study developed a bespoke, 4-module, internet-delivered program based upon acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) principles and tested its feasibility and efficacy within the context a randomized controlled trial. A total of 129 participants were randomized to receive either the ACT program or to a waitlist control condition. Assessments of generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depressive affect, and wellbeing were administered at baseline and at post-intervention.

Results: Analyses indicated that the intervention was efficacious in mitigating both generalized and social anxiety and in improving wellbeing.

Conclusion: These results provide preliminary evidence of the feasibility and efficacy of internet-delivered ACT in a Middle Eastern context.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Participant flow diagram illustrating flow of participants through the trial.
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