Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS)
Volume 39, January 2026
Authors
Ty B. Aller, Heather H. Kelley, Korena S. Klimczak, Benjamin P. Covington, & Michael E. Levin
Key Findings
- We examined a digital mental health intervention (DMHI) for autistic adults.
- Mixed-method evidence suggests the DMHI has preliminary efficacy.
- Quantitative results detail improvements in subjective wellbeing and quality of life.
- Qualitative results report improvements in individual and relational wellbeing.
Abstract
Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) are scalable, accessible, and easily contextualized to the needs of autistic adults, making them a promising resource to help address common barriers to high quality mental health supports. The current preregistered study employs an open trial design and a mixed methods approach to assess the preliminary efficacy of a DMHI among N = 56 autistic adults. The co-created DMHI contains six sessions based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), in a skills-training context, aiming to improve subjective wellbeing and quality of life. We found that changes in subjective wellbeing were observed at post-test (4-weeks following baseline), but these changes were not maintained at follow-up (10-weeks following baseline). However, changes in quality of life were observed at post-test and maintained at follow-up. Changes were also observed in our secondary outcomes, including psychological distress and psychological flexibility, most of which were maintained at follow-up. The current study provides preliminary support for the efficacy of an ACT-based DMHI to improve subjective wellbeing and quality of life among autistic adults.