The efficacy and optimal matching of an Internet‐based acceptance and commitment therapy intervention for depressive symptoms among university students: A randomized controlled trial in China. Issue 7 (22nd February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Chunxiao; Wampold, Bruce E.; Ren, Zhihong; Zhang, Lin; Jiang, Guangrong
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 78:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 1354
• Page End: 1375
• Publication Date: 2022-02-22
• Subjects: acceptance and commitment therapy -- depressive symptoms -- Internet‐based intervention -- matching -- randomized controlled trial (RCT) -- systematic treatment selection; Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23329
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The present study tested the efficacy of an unguided internet‐based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (iACT) program for depression, and identified the psychological characteristics of participants who benefitted the most from the program. Method: Undergraduate students with mild to severe symptoms of depression were randomized to the iACT group ( n = 95) or the waiting‐list group (WLC group; n = 87). Depressive symptoms and positive mental health were assessed at baseline ( T 0 ), at the end of the 6‐week program ( T 1 ), and at a 3‐month follow‐up ( T 2 ). Results: Compared with the WLC group, the iACT group showed significantly more improvement in depressive symptoms ( d = 1.27) and positive mental health ( d = 0.59), both at T 1 and T 2 . Latent Profile Analysis identified three classes of participants: Sensitive‐to‐Relationship, Low‐Reactive‐Depression, and Endogenous‐Depression group. In general, the treatment was particularly suitable for the Sensitive‐to‐Relationship class. Conclusion: The iACT was effective in treating the depressive symptoms of undergraduates, especially suitable for the clients with high baseline depression, high externality, high resistance, and high sensitivity to relationships.