Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Counseling in Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

NCT07840664 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: OMU-GUNGOR-001BAP04-B-2024-5163
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial was to determine the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles in women with a history of intimate partner violence. The study included women who sought care at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of a state hospital, had a history of intimate partner violence, met the eligibility criteria, and volunteered to participate. A total of 60 women were assigned to the experimental group (n=30) or control group (n=30) using stratified block randomization. Data were collected using an Individual Information Form, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form, the Psychological Flexibility Scale, and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire. Data were collected from both groups at two time points, as pre-test and post-test assessments, between October 2023 and January 2024. Following the pre-test assessments, participants in the experimental group received six sessions of ACT-based counseling, while participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. After completion of the intervention, post-test assessments were administered to both groups. The study compared the experimental and control groups to evaluate the effects of ACT-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles.

Conditions

Domestic Violence

Keywords

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; domestic violence; women; emotion regulation difficulties; psychological flexibility; decision-making styles

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Psychological Flexibility

  Psychological flexibility was assessed using the Psychological Flexibility Scale, adapted into Turkish by Karakuş and Akbay (2020). The scale consists of 28 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1-7), yielding a total score ranging from 28 to 196. Higher total scores indicate greater psychological flexibility. The scale was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)

• Decision-Making Self-Esteem and Decision-Making Styles

  Decision-making self-esteem and decision-making styles were assessed using the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (MDMQ I-II), adapted into Turkish by Deniz (2004). Part I consists of 6 items and assesses decision-making self-esteem, with scores ranging from 0 to 12; higher scores indicate higher decision-making self-esteem. Part II consists of 22 items and assesses four decision-making styles: vigilance (score range: 0-12), buck-passing (0-12), procrastination (0-10), and hypervigilance (0-10). Higher scores on each subscale indicate greater use of the respective decision-making style. The questionnaire was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)

• Emotion Regulation Difficulties

  Emotion regulation difficulties were assessed using the 16-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF), adapted into Turkish by Yiğit and Guzey Yiğit (2017). Each item is rated on a 5-point scale from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always), yielding a total score ranging from 16 to 80. Higher total scores indicate greater difficulties in emotion regulation. The scale was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm received an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling intervention consisting of six sessions conducted at 7-10-day intervals. Each session lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. The first session was conducted individually and face-to-face, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication.

Other: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm received no intervention during the study period and completed the same outcome assessments as the intervention group.

Interventions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) OTHER

The intervention consisted of six Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling sessions conducted at 7-10-day intervals. Each session lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. The first session was conducted individually and face-to-face, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication. The intervention was designed to address emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: women
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being over 18 years of age
• Being literate
• Having a history of spousal violence
• Being followed for anxiety problems related to a history of spousal violence
• Being willing to cooperate and communicate
• Agreeing to fully participate in the 6-week counseling period

You may not qualify if:

• Having a previously diagnosed psychiatric disorder
• Currently receiving another form of psychotherapy
• Having cognitive impairment
• Having a comorbid mental disorder
• Using a language other than Turkish

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ondokuz Mayıs University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ondokuzmayis University

Samsun, Samsun, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Eda GUNGOR, MSc

  Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: The independent data analyst was blinded to group allocation during the statistical analysis. Group identities were coded and were not disclosed to the analyst until the analyses were completed.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: lecturer

Model Details: Participants were assigned to two parallel groups using stratified block randomization: an intervention group receiving a six-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based intervention and a control group receiving no intervention during the study period. Outcomes were assessed in both groups before and after the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 18, 2026
• First Posted: September 25, 2026
• Study Start: October 25, 2023
• Primary Completion: January 5, 2024
• Study Completion: January 29, 2024
• Last Updated: September 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)