A Pilot Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Promoting Mental Health and Resiliency Among Migrant Live-in Caregivers in Canada (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandana Vahabi ◽  
Josephine Pui-Hing Wong ◽  
Masoomeh Moosapoor ◽  
Abdolreza Akbarian, ◽  
Kenneth Po-Lun Fung
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Waitlist Control ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND TTemporary migrant live–in caregivers constitute a vulnerable stream of temporary foreign workers in Canada. This is because the majority are racialized women from the Global South, the gendered nature of caregiving work has historically been undervalued, and their working and living spheres are intertwined which makes application of labor laws and surveillance almost impossible. Their invisible position in the fabric of Canadian society along with their precarious employment and immigration status place their mental health at jeopardy. Furthermore, they experience multiple barriers in accessing mental health services due to their long work hours, limited knowledge about health resources, stigma, and fear of deportation should their employers suspect or discover that they are experiencing mental health problems. There is a paucity of research about psychological support for this population. OBJECTIVE Our pilot project aimed to assess the efficacy of a six-week online delivery of a psychological intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). METHODS A pilot randomized waitlist control design was used. Participants were recruited by two community peer champions, who collaborated with community health organizations serving migrant live-in caregivers and applied snowball sampling technique. A total of 36 participants who met study inclusion criteria were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention and waitlist control groups. Standardized self-reported surveys were administered online pre-, post-, and 6-week post-intervention to assess mental distress (DASS 21), psychological flexibility (AAQ-2), mindfulness (CAMS-R) and Multi-System Model of Resilience (MSMR-I). Both independent and dependent t-tests were used to compare study outcomes at pre, post and 6 weeks follow up across and within both arms of the study. Linear mixed-effects models were created for each outcome of interest from baseline to post-intervention among intervention and control participants. Self-reported impact of WE2CARE intervention was examined using independent t-test across the study arms. RESULTS Average age of participants was 38 years. Many participants were born in the Philippines (79%). Sixty percent reported an income of less than $25,000/year after taxes. The pilot data on the impact of the psychological intervention showed an improvement in psychological distress, mindful qualities (CAMS-R), and external resilience (MSMR ER) particularly in the domain of life satisfaction and accessible support among the intervention group compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS WE2CARE is among the first studies exploring the efficacy of on-line delivery of ACT in addressing mental health challenges among live-in caregivers. While there are increased web-based ACT interventions, few uses group videoconferencing to promote peer connection and mutual support. WE2CARE showed promising results in reducing psychological distress and promoting mindfulness and resiliency. The intervention highly motivated participants to engage collectively in building social support networks. CLINICALTRIAL Not Applicable INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/preprints.31211

Study Protocol for Implementation of An Internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Promoting Mental Health Among Migrant Live-in Caregivers in Canada (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Po-Lun Fung ◽  
Mandana Vahabi ◽  
Masoomeh Moosapoor ◽  
Abdolreza Akbarian ◽  
Josephine Pui-Hing Wong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

BACKGROUND Psychological distress, isolation, feeling of powerlessness, and limited social support are realities faced by temporary migrant live–in caregivers in Canada. Furthermore, they experience multiple barriers in accessing mental health services due to their long work hours, limited knowledge about health resources, precarious employment, and immigration status. OBJECTIVE Women Empowerment - Caregiver Acceptance & Resilience E-Learning (WE2CARE) project is a pilot intervention research project that aims to promote mental well being and resiliency of migrant live-in caregivers. The objectives include exploring the effectiveness of this program in: (1) reducing psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress); (2) promoting committed actions of self-care; and (3) building mutual support social networks. Further, participants’ satisfaction with the intervention and their perceived barriers and facilitators to practicing the self-care strategies embedded in WE2CARE will be examined. METHODS Thirty-six live- in caregivers residing in Great Toronto Area (GTA) will be recruited and randomly assigned to intervention and waitlist control groups. The intervention group will receive a 6-week web-based psychosocial intervention that will be based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Standardized self-reported surveys will be administered online pre-, post-, and 6-week post-intervention to assess mental distress (DASS 21), psychological flexibility (AAQ-2), mindfulness (CAMS-R) and Multi-System Model of Resilience (MSMR-I). Two focus groups will be held with a subset of participants to explore their feedback on the utility of the WE2CARE program. RESULTS WE2CARE was funded in January 2019 for a year. The protocol was approved by the research ethics boards of Ryerson University (REB 2019-036) in February 2019, and University of Toronto (RIS37623) in May 2019. Data collection started upon ethics approval and was completed by May 2020. A total of 29 caregivers completed the study and 20 participated in the focus groups. Data analyses are in progress and results will be published in 2021. CONCLUSIONS WE2CARE can be a promising approach in reducing stress, promoting resilience, and providing a virtual space for peer emotional support and collaborative learning among socially isolated and marginalized women. The results of this pilot study will inform the adaptation and utility of online delivery of ACT based psychological intervention in promoting mental health among disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. CLINICALTRIAL None

scholarly journals Evaluating a transdiagnostic acceptance and commitment therapy psychoeducation intervention

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Cartwright ◽  
Nic Hooper
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Health Board ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour

AbstractPsychoeducation courses have gained some empirical support as effective early intervention strategies. Many of these courses reflect traditional cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) thinking but psychoeducation courses based on other approaches are beginning to emerge. One such course, ‘ACTivate Your Life’, is based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The aim of this preliminary investigation is to evaluate a four-session (eight-hour) ACT psychoeducation intervention delivered within the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board. Participants were invited to complete four outcome measures (assessing depression, anxiety, self-esteem and life satisfaction) and two process measures (assessing mindfulness self-efficacy and psychological flexibility) at pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analysis indicated that participants’ scores across each of the measured domains showed highly significant changes. These results suggest that a brief psychoeducation ACT course may be useful in helping people in need of early psychological intervention, and that further research is now needed to provide a definitive evaluation of its effectiveness.

The effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on the mental health of students with an emotional breakdown

2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Maryam Noormohamadi ◽  
Mokhtar Arefi ◽  
Karim Afshaini ◽  
Keivan Kakabaraee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Mental health is a significant part of one’s health and it is very important to pay attention to mental health. Objectives The aim of the study was to examine the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the mental health of adolescents with an emotional breakdown (EB). Methods This was a semi-experimental study, in which the students with an EB were divided into two groups: the experimental and control groups. Twenty people were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to the ACT and control groups (each with 10 people). After obtaining consent to participate in the study, they were asked to fill the questionnaires as a pre-test. Then, the experimental group was treated for nine individual sessions (weekly one session). As this was a repeated measurement method, in sessions 3, 6 and 9, the questionnaires were completed again and the follow-up period was 1 month after the end of the interventions. Results Before the intervention, there was no difference between the score of the impact of love and rumination among the students in the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05); but after the intervention, the score of the impact of love and rumination in the experimental group decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusions It is suggested that ACT should be used at counseling centers of universities and educational institutions.

scholarly journals Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Systematic Literature Review of Prevention and Intervention Programs for Mental Health Difficulties in Children and Young People

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 280-305
Author(s):  
Emma Harris ◽  
Victoria Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Prevention And Intervention ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

BackgroundAcceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is increasingly being used to treat mental health difficulties, however there is a paucity of reviews concerning ACT with children.AimTo examine the literature about ACT interventions for child and adolescent mental well-being.MethodsSearches for articles reporting on ACT interventions to prevent/reduce child mental health difficulties were undertaken. Methodological quality was assessed and a narrative synthesis was used to summarize findings about mental health symptoms and psychological flexibility.ResultsTen articles were identified focusing on prevention and intervention for anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa, and trichotillomania. Most studies found that mental health symptoms reduced following an ACT intervention and psychological flexibility increased. However, findings indicate that other active interventions also led to the same changes.ConclusionsACT is a promising intervention for adolescent mental health, although further research is needed to establish whether reductions in mental health symptoms are due to an increase in psychological flexibility.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Daily Life (ACT-DL) in early psychosis: study protocol for a multi-centre randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Reininghaus ◽  
Annelie Klippel ◽  
Henrietta Steinhart ◽  
Thomas Vaessen ◽  
Martine van Nierop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Psychotic experiences, social functioning and general psychopathology are important targets for early intervention in individuals with Ultra-High-Risk state (UHR) and a first-episode psychosis (FEP). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a promising, next-generation Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that aims to modify these targets, but evidence on sustainable change and its underlying mechanisms in individuals’ daily lives remains limited. The aim of the INTERACT study is to investigate the efficacy of a novel ecological momentary intervention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Daily Life (ACT-DL) in a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of individuals with UHR or FEP. Methods/design In a multi-centre randomised controlled trial, individuals aged 16–65 years with UHR or FEP will be randomly allocated to ACT-DL in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) as the experimental condition or a control condition of TAU only, which will include – for the entire study period – access to routine mental health care and, where applicable, CBT for psychosis (CBTp). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline (i.e. before randomisation), post-intervention (i.e. after the 8-week intervention period), and 6-month and 12-month follow-ups (i.e. 6 and 12 months after completing the intervention period) by blinded assessors. The primary outcome will be distress associated with psychotic experiences, while secondary outcomes will include (momentary) psychotic experiences, social functioning and psychopathology. Process measures to assess putative mechanisms of change will include psychological flexibility, stress sensitivity and reward experiences. In addition, acceptability, treatment adherence and treatment fidelity of ACT-DL will be assessed. Discussion The current study is the first to test the efficacy of ACT-DL in individuals with UHR and FEP. If this trial demonstrates the efficacy of ACT-DL, it has the potential to significantly advance the treatment of people with UHR and FEP and, more generally, provides initial support for implementing mHealth interventions in mental health services. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register, ID: NTR4252. Registered on 26 September 2013.

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