Bernal-Manrique, K. N., García-Martín, M. B., & Ruiz, F. J. (2020). Effect of acceptance and commitment therapy in improving interpersonal skills in adolescents: A randomized waitlist control trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 17, 86-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.06.008
This parallel randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focused on repetitive negative thinking (RNT) versus a waitlist control (WLC) in improving interpersonal skills in adolescents with problems of social and school adaptation. Forty-two adolescents (11–17 years) agreed to participate. Participants were allocated through simple randomization to the intervention condition or the waitlist control condition. The intervention was a 3-session, group-based, RNT-focused ACT protocol. The primary outcome was the performance on a test of interpersonal skills (Interpersonal Conflict Resolution Assessment, ESCI). At posttreatment, repeated measures ANOVA showed that the intervention was efficacious in increasing overall interpersonal skills (d = 2.62), progress in values (d = 1.23), and reducing emotional symptoms (d = 0.98). No adverse events were found. A brief RNT-focused ACT intervention was highly efficacious in improving interpersonal skills and reducing emotional symptoms in adolescents.
To find the full text version of this article and others (as well as download a full text pdf.), ACBS members can visit the ScienceDirect homepage here.