Benchmarks for Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Tools for Social Work Professionals. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Washburn, Micki; Yu, Miao; Rubin, Allen
• Is Part Of: Research on social work practice. Volume 32:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: 982
• Page End: 992
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: benchmarking -- acceptance and commitment therapy -- groups -- anxiety -- depression; Social service -- Periodicals; 361.3205
• DOI: 10.1177/10497315221105470
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7315

Abstract

Purpose: This article provides within-group effect size benchmarks for RCTs of group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for adults with anxiety and/or depression. Methods: A systematic literature search of RCTs of the group-based ACT intervention was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were selected based on predetermined eligibility criteria. Pre/post within-group effect sizes were calculated using the Glass approach, adjusted using Hedges g, and aggregated to produce separate benchmarks for symptoms of depression and anxiety for ACT and the comparison/control group(s). Results: Results indicate that the average within-group pre/post effect sizes for the group-based ACT intervention is .59 (95% CI 0.37–0.81) for anxiety and .73 (95% CI 0.56–0.89) for depression. Discussion: These benchmarks may be used by social workers to evaluate the effectiveness of their group-based ACT intervention and to guide clinical decision making.