Qualitative Studies and Transcript Analyses

These are a beginning list of process studies in ACT that are not based on self-report instruments per se: interview studies, analyses of transcripts, and the like. If you see find additional ones let ACBS staff know and ask them to add the reference to this page: community@contextualscience.org

Bouws, J., Henrard, A., de Koning, M., Schirmbeck, F., van Ghesel Grothe, S., van Aubel, E., Reininghaus, U., de Haan, L., & Myin-Germeys, I. (2024). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for individuals at risk for psychosis or with a first psychotic episode: A qualitative study on patients' perspectives. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 18(2), 122–131. DOI: 10.1111/eip.13442

Huish, E., Donnelly, O., & Marks, E. (2024). "I Really Felt the Feeling": A Systematic Review and Qualitative Thematic Synthesis of Healthcare Workers' Experiences of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training. Journal of cognitive psychotherapy, 38(2), 94–118. DOI: 10.1891/JCP-2022-0030

Kudlek, L., Jones, R. A., Hughes, C., Duschinsky, R., Hill, A., Richards, R., Thompson, M., Vincent, A., Griffin, S. J. & Ahern, A. L. (2024). Experiences of emotional eating in an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy based weight management intervention (SWiM): A qualitative study. Appetite, 193, 107138. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107138

Zancan, R. K., Constantinopolos, L. B., Pankowski, B. E., Bellini, B. D., & Oliveira, M. da S. (2023). Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso para Universitários: Um Estudo Qualitativo. Revista Psicologia: Teoria E Prática, 25(1), ePTPPE14535. DOI: 10.5935/1980-6906/ePTPPE14535.en

Sanabria-Mazo, J.P., Colomer-Carbonell, A., Gandara-Urrutia, N., Pérez-Sutil, J.M., Noboa-Rocamora, G., Fernández-Vázquez, Ó., Val-Mariano, G., Fontana-McNally, M., Cardona-Ros, G., Feliu-Soler, A., McCracken, L.M., Edo, S., Sanz, A., & Luciano, J.V. (2023 in press) Experiences of patients with chronic low back pain plus comorbid depressive symptoms in a videoconference group acceptance and commitment therapy or behavioral activation treatment for depression: a qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2298265

Edwards, V., Vari, C., Rose, M., Graham, C.D., O'Connell, N., Taylor, E., McCracken, L.M., Radunovic, A., Rakowicz, W., Norton, S., & Chalder, T. (2023). Participant experiences of guided self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for improving quality of life in muscle disease: a nested qualitative study within the ACTMus randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1233526. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233526

Arch, J.J., Slivjak, E., Bright, E.E., et al. (2022). Leveraging values to promote adherence to endocrine therapy among breast cancer survivors: A mixed-methods investigation. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 25, 122-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.07.002

Aymerich, K., Wilczek, A., Ratanachatchuchai, S., Gilpin, H.R., Spahr, N., Jacobs, C., & Scott, W. (2022). "Living more and struggling less”: a qualitative descriptive study of patient experiences of physiotherapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy within a multidisciplinary pain management programme. Physiotherapy, 116, 33-41. DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2022.01.004

Contreras, M., Van Hout, E., Farquhar, M., McCracken, L.M., Gould, R.L., Hornberger, M., Richmond, E., & Kishita, N. (2022). Internet-delivered guided self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for family carers of people with dementia (iACT4CARERS): a qualitative study of carer views and acceptability. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 17(1). DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2022.2066255

de Medeiros, A.G.A. & Hartmann Junior, J.A.S. (2022). A experiência da psicoterapia na terceira idade: uma análise a partir da terapia de aceitação e compromisso. In Novas diretrizes frente ao envelhecimento: diversidades, cuidados, inclusão e visibilidad, E-book VIII CIEH 2021. Campina Grande: Realize Editora. DOI: 10.46943/VIII.CIEH.2021.01.002

Engström, A.H., Bohm-Starke, N., Kullinger, M., Högberg, U., Buhrman, M., Skalkidou, A., & Widarsson, M. (2022). Experiences of internet-based treatment for vulvodynia: A qualitative study. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 33, 100756. DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2022.100756

Giovannetti, A.M., Messmer Uccelli, M., Solari, A., & Pakenham, K.I. (2022). Evaluation of a program for training psychologists in an acceptance and commitment therapy resilience intervention for people with multiple sclerosis: a single-arm longitudinal design with a nested qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(22), 6926-6938. DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2025926

Jones, R.A., Richards, R., Palat, R., Hughes, C., Hill, A.J., Vincent, A., Griffin, S.J., Ahern, A.L., & Duschinsky, R. (2022) Participants' experiences of mental health during a COVID-19 tailored ACT-based behavioural weight management intervention: a qualitative study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 17(1). DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2022.2123093

Sato, C., Adumattah, A., Abulencia, M.K., Garcellano, P.D., Li, A.T., Fung, K., Poon, M.K., Vahabi, M., & Wong, J.P. (2022). COVID-19 Mental Health Stressors of Health Care Providers in the Pandemic Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment Response (PACER) Intervention: Qualitative Study. JMIR Formative Research, 6(3), e35280. DOI: 10.2196/35280

Bahattab, M. & AlHadi, A.N. (2021). Acceptance and commitment group therapy among Saudi Muslim females with mental health disorders. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 19, 86-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2021.01.005

Bloy, S., Morris, E. M. J., Johns, L. C., Cooke, A., & Oliver, J. E. (2021). “My voices are just part of me, they don’t own me”: a qualitative investigation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy groups for people experiencing psychosis. Psychosis, Volume 13 2021 (3), 295-208. DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2020.1870542

Clery, P., Starbuck, J., Laffan, A., et al (2021). Qualitative study of the acceptability and feasibility of acceptance and commitment therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 5, e001139. DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001139

Galea Holmes, M.N., Wileman, V., McCracken, L.M., Critchley, D., March, M.K., Norton, S., Moss-Morris, R., Noonan, S., Barcellona, M., & Godfrey, E. (2021). Experiences of training and delivery of Physical therapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT): a longitudinal qualitative study. Physiotherapy, 112, 41-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2020.12.004

Gates, J., Goldstone, E., Clemente, J., Cugnetto, M., Morris, E. M. J., & Farhall, J. (2021). Adapting and implementing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy groups to support personal recovery of adults living with psychosis: a qualitative study of facilitators’ experiences. Psychosis, 14(4), 322–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/17522439.2021.1957991

Fogelkvist, M., Parling, T., Kjellin, L., & Gustafsson, S.A. (2021) Live with your body – participants’ reflections on an acceptance and commitment therapy group intervention for patients with residual eating disorder symptoms. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 20, 184-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2021.04.006

Margolies, S.O., Patidar, S.M., Chidgey, B.A., Goetzinger, A., Sanford, J.B. & Short, N.A. (2021) Growth in crisis: A mixed methods study of lessons from our patients with chronic pain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 19, 12-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.10.010

Yıldız, E. & Aylaz, R. (2021). How Counseling Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Supported With Motivational Interviewing Affects the Perceptions of Treatment Motivation in Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 27(5), 390-404. DOI: 10.1177/1078390320945380

Bendelin, N., Björkdahl, P., Risell, M., Zetterqvist Nelson, K., Gerdle, B., Andersson, G. & Buhrman, M. (2020) Patients’ experiences of internet-based Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain: a qualitative study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 21, 212. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03198-1

Casey, M.-B., Murphy, D., Neary, R., Wade, C., Hearty, C. & Doody, C. (2020) Individuals perspectives related to acceptance, values and mindfulness following participation in an acceptance-based pain management programme. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 16, 96-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.03.005

Giovannetti, A.M., Quintas, R., Tramacere, I., Giordano, A., Confalonieri, P., Messmer Uccelli, M., Solari, A., & Pakenham, K. I. (2020). A resilience group training program for people with multiple sclerosis: Results of a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial and nested qualitative study. PLoS ONE, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231380

Gismervik, S.Ø., Fimland, M.S., Fors, E.A., Johnsen, R., & Rise, M.B. (2019). The acceptance and commitment therapy model in occupational rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and common mental disorders: a qualitative focus group study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(26), 3181-3191. DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1490824

Woolf-King, S.E., Sheinfil, A.Z., Babowich, J.D., Siedle-Khan, B., Loitsch, A. & Maisto, S.A. (2019). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for HIV-infected Hazardous Drinkers: A Qualitative Study of Acceptability. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 37(3), 342-358. DOI: 10.1080/07347324.2018.1539630

Bendelin, N., Gerdle, B., & Andersson, G. (2018). Internet-delivered aftercare following multimodal rehabilitation program for chronic pain: a qualitative feasibility study. Journal of Pain Research, 11, 1715-1728. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S157939

Thompson, M., Vowles, K. E., Sowden, G., Ashworth, J., & Levell, J. (2018). A qualitative analysis of patient‐identified adaptive behaviour changes following interdisciplinary Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain. European Journal of Pain.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1184

Tyrberg, M.J., Carlbring, P. & Lundgren, T. (2017) Usefulness of the ACT model for nurses in psychiatric inpatient care: A qualitative content analysis. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 6(2), 208-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2017.04.011

Köhle, N., Drossaert, C.H.C., Jaran, J. et al. (2017) User-experiences with a web-based self-help intervention for partners of cancer patients based on acceptance and commitment therapy and self-compassion: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 17, 225. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4121-2

Fogelkvist, M., Parling, T., Kjellin, L. et al. (2016). A qualitative analysis of participants’ reflections on body image during participation in a randomized controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy. Journal of Eating Disorders, 4, 29. DOI: 10.1186/s40337-016-0120-4

Fitzpatrick, M., Henson, A., Grumet, R., Poolokasingham, G., Foa, C., Comeau, T., & Prendergast, C. (2016). Challenge, focus, inspiration and support: Processes of values clarification and congruence. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 5, 7–15. 16 clients who went through an ACT-based values workshop were interviews and a qualitative method called Thematic Analysis was applied to the transcripts. Participants were generally motivated to work on values because of life challenges. Behavioral changes were linked to focused attention, inspiration by values work, and the support of others. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.02.001

Thompson-Janes, E., Brice, S., McElroy, R., Abbott, J., &  Ball, J. (2016). Learning from the experts: a thematic analysis of parent's experiences of attending a therapeutic group for parents of children with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, British Journal of Learning Diaabilities, 44, 95-102.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bld.12115  Qualitiative interviews of ACT-based group for parents of children with learning disabilities and behaviour problems were scored using thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (i) parent's pre-group narratives, (ii) barriers and solutions, (iii) positive aspects of the program and (iv) positive outcomes 

Rise, M.B., Gismervik, S.Ø., Johnsen, R. et al. (2015). Sick-listed persons’ experiences with taking part in an in-patient occupational rehabilitation program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: a qualitative focus group interview study. BMC Health Services Research, 15, 526. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1190-8

There is a qualitative measure in this study on ACT for veteran’s w/ PTSD who are parents. Robert B. Casselman & Joy R. Pemberton (2015). ACT-Based Parenting Group for Veterans With PTSD: Development and Preliminary Outcomes. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 43, 57-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2014.939003

The Twohig/Hayes book “ACT Verbatim” (New Harbinger) applies what is in essence a coding system to some of the transcript analysis there.

The experiences of people using an ACT based smart phone app were coded in this study.  John Goodwin, John Cummins, Laura Behan & Sinead M. O’Brien (2015) Development of a mental health smartphone app: perspectives of mental health service users. Journal of Mental Health, 25,  434-440.  http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2015.1124392

Berman, Margit I.; Hill, Clara E.; Liu, Jingqing; Jackson, John; Sim, Wonjin; Spangler, Patricia (2012). Relational events in acceptance and commitment therapy for three clients with anorexia nervosa: What is corrective? In Castonguay, Louis G. (Ed); Hill, Clara E. (Ed). (2012). Transformation in psychotherapy: Corrective experiences across cognitive behavioral, humanistic, and psychodynamic approaches (pp. 215-244). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association, xiii, 390 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/13747-012

This study showed using transcript analysis that changes in client behavior in session predicted outcomes in an ACT RCT: Hesser, H., Westin, V., Hayes, S. C., & Andersson, G. (2009). Clients’ in-session acceptance and cognitive defusion behaviors in acceptance-based treatment of tinnitus distress. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47, 523–528. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2009.02.002