A meta-analysis of the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for children

Fang, Shuanghu; Ding, Dongyan

doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.01.007

Cited by 76 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Despite such limitations, important strengths of this study include its international nature, and the development of the ME-WE intervention based on evidence-based techniques and components such as those in the DNA-V and ACT models [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Bias is minimized by the use of a manualized intervention, different facilitators, multiple assessment points and use of valid measures for primary outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Meta-analytic and systematic review findings indicate that the ACT model, on which the DNA-V is grounded, is effective in the treatment of children and young people across a wide range of psychological and adjustment problems [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. The DNA-V protocol has been piloted in cohort studies with clinical and non-clinical adolescents and showed promising results in terms of improved well-being and psychological flexibility [ 58 , 59 , 60 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being among Adolescent Young Carers in Europe: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Casu

Hlebec

Boccaletti³

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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It is estimated that 4–8% of youth in Europe carry out substantial care for a family member or significant other. To prevent adverse psychosocial outcomes in young carers (YCs), primary prevention resilience building interventions have been recommended. We describe the study protocol of an international randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an innovative group intervention designed to promote the mental health and well-being of adolescent YCs (AYCs) aged 15–17. The RCT will be conducted in six European countries in the context of the Horizon 2020 European funded research and innovation project “Psychosocial support for promoting mental health and well-being among adolescent young caregivers in Europe” (“ME-WE”). The ME-WE intervention is based on Hayes and Ciarrochi’s psychoeducational model for adolescents and will consist of seven 2-h sessions in a group format, aimed to help AYCs build psychological flexibility and live according to their values. The control group will be a waitlist. Primary and secondary outcomes and control variables will be measured at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1) and 3 months follow-up (T2). The COVID-19 pandemic has made amendments necessary to the original study protocol methodology, which we describe in detail. This study will contribute to building an evidence-based manualized program that educators and health and social care professionals can use to support AYCs in their transition to adulthood. From a research perspective, the outcomes of this study will contribute to evidence-based practices in primary prevention of psychosocial difficulties in AYCs and will gather novel knowledge on the effectiveness of Hayes and Ciarrochi’s model for use with middle adolescents with caring responsibilities. The trial has been preregistered (registration number: NCT04114864).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being among Adolescent Young Carers in Europe: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Casu

Hlebec

Boccaletti³

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, authors reported methodological inadequacies identified in the research reviewed and also included non-peer reviewed articles [37]. A second systematic review reported ACT significantly improved symptoms of anxiety and depression in children when compared to usual treatment/waitlist controls [38]. However, this review also included studies with healthy children, making it difficult to generalize findings to children with SHCN.…”

Section: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy For Children With Shcn And Their Parentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Parents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Parmar

Esser

Barreira

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Context: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an emerging treatment for improving psychological well-being. Objective: To summarize research evaluating the effects of ACT on psychological well-being in children with special health care needs (SHCN) and their parents. Data Sources: An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid/EMBASE and PsycINFO (January 2000–April 2021). Study Selection: Included were studies that assessed ACT in children with SHCN (ages 0–17y) and/or parents of children with SHCN and had a comparator group. Data Extraction: Descriptive data were synthesized and presented in a tabular format, and data on relevant outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms, stress, avoidance and fusion) were used in the meta-analyses to explore the effectiveness of ACT (administered independently with no other psychological therapy) compared to no treatment. Results: Ten studies were identified (child (7) and parent (3)). In children with SHCN, ACT was more effective than no treatment at helping depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −4.27, 95% CI: −5.20, −3.34; p < 0.001) and avoidance and fusion (SMD = −1.64, 95% CI: −3.24, −0.03; p = 0.05), but not stress. In parents of children with SHCN, ACT may help psychological inflexibility (SMD = −0.77, 95% CI: −1.07, −0.47; p < 0.01). Limitations: There was considerable statistical heterogeneity in three of the six meta-analyses. Conclusions: There is some evidence that ACT may help with depressive symptoms in children with SHCN and psychological inflexibility in their parents. Research on the efficacy of ACT for a variety of children with SHCN and their parents is especially limited, and future research is needed.

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“…Evidence for ACT for young people is less developed, but increasing. A recent meta-analysis of the efficacy of ACT for children found that ACT was more effective than treatment as usual or no treatment, for anxiety, depression and other mental and behavioural difficulties (Fang & Ding, 2020a). Although ACT was not found to bring about superior outcomes to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ACT may be advantageous in some ways to this approach, particularly in the context of a non-targeted intervention, due to its unique focus on encouraging positive value-based actions, rather than purely symptom reduction, which may therefore lead to 'broader substantive changes in psychological functioning' (Fang & Ding, 2020a, p. 226).…”

Section: Suitability Of Act For a Non-targeted Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing the content of a brief universal acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) programme for secondary school pupils: InTER-ACT

Samuel

Constable²,

Harris

et al. 2021

Pastoral Care in Education

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Mental health difficulties often start in childhood and the number of young people experiencing mental health difficulties [are] is rising, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. Schoolbased programmes have been identified as an effective way to provide support for young people and present an opportunity to offer universal programmes, which can increase equity of access, facilitate resilience and reduce stigma. Whilst there is an emerging evidence of the benefits of preventive mental health programmes delivered in schools, there is a need for more robust evidence and methodological rigour in the development and descriptions of these programmes.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one approach that may be appropriate as a framework for preventing and reducing mental health difficulties in schools. This paper describes the content development of a UK-based universal school programme using ACT: the In-school Training in Emotional Resilience (InTER-ACT) programme. It describes the steps taken across the stages of content development, from planning the programme, delivering the programme in a school, receiving feedback and integrating the subsequent revisions. The final version of the programme, including summaries of session content, is provided.Consistent with an ACT ethos, the personal values of the researchers, and the influence of these on the programme are discussed, providing a novel integration of methodical detail and authentic, reflective practice. This article provides a transparent and detailed overview of the iterative processes involved in developing the content of an evidencebased pastoral care programme in a way that is systematic, rigorous and responsive to teacher and pupil feedback.

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A meta-analysis of the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for children

Cited by 76 publications

References 26 publications

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being among Adolescent Young Carers in Europe: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being among Adolescent Young Carers in Europe: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Parents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Developing the content of a brief universal acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) programme for secondary school pupils: InTER-ACT

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