Psychological Flexibility, Adaptive Emotion Regulation, Self-Compassion, and Autonomy as Mechanisms of Change in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Transitional-Age Youth

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9614066
AutoresJanna Keulen (0000-0002-1975-641X, Utrecht University, autor de correspondencia), Maja Deković (0000-0002-8698-9037, Utrecht University), Denise Matthijssen (Altrecht GGZ), Jacquelijne Schraven (Altrecht GGZ), Denise H M Bodden (0000-0002-4860-9515, Utrecht University)
Año2025
Volumen57
Número3
Páginas439-455
Fecha de publicación2025-11-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaBehavior Therapy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0005-7894 • E-ISSN: 1878-1888
EditorialElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.beth.2025.10.004
PMID42097785
OpenAlexW4415756815
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas41

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a promising transdiagnostic intervention for transitional-age youth (15-25 years) with psychological problems. This study aimed to investigate whether psychological flexibility, adaptive emotion regulation, self-compassion, and autonomy are possible transdiagnostic mechanisms through which ACT reduces psychological problems in transitional-age youth. Data were derived from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing ACT with treatment as usual (TAU). A total of 123 transitional-age youth (M = 17.68, 68.3% female) with various psychological problems participated in the study. Univariate latent growth models were used to assess changes over time in all mechanisms and psychological problems and bivariate latent growth models examined the relationships between changes in each mechanism and changes in psychological problems. Also, we examined whether changes in the four mechanisms served as a potential mediating link between ACT and psychological problems. Results indicated that both ACT and TAU were equally effective in increasing psychological flexibility, adaptive emotion regulation, self-compassion, and autonomy, as well as in reducing psychological problems. In both conditions, increases in psychological flexibility and adaptive emotion regulation were significantly associated with decreases in psychological problems. However, increases in self-compassion and autonomy were unrelated to decreases in psychological problems. These findings emphasize the relevance of psychological flexibility and adaptive emotion regulation as important transdiagnostic intervention targets for psychological problems

Acceptance and commitment therapy · Adaptive functioning · Autonomy · Personal autonomy · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies · Psychological Treatments and Assessments