A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in South Korea

Although psychologists have emphasized the importance of considering clients’ various cultural backgrounds and researching various populations, research is still overly focused on participants from English-speaking countries like the United States and Western countries. Numerous studies evaluating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) have been published in South Korea. However, most of the studies are still unknown to English-speaking research communities because of language differences. In order to promote cross-cultural communication of study findings, the current study reviewed treatment research from South Korea. After searching for Korean ACT studies using Korean electronic databases, 62 studies were selected, and each study’s treatment outcome and characteristics were reviewed. To examine the effectiveness of ACT in South Korea, the outcomes were quantified and analyzed statistically. To explore how ACT was adapted to Korean culture, the treatment protocols were reviewed. The overall results indicated that ACT has been found effective for various psychosocial problems in South Korea. Furthermore, the review of ACT protocols revealed that therapy content was minimally adapted to Korean populations. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of cultural adaptation of ACT in South Korea

Comparing Cognitive Defusion and Cognitive Restructuring Delivered Through a Mobile App for Individuals High in Self-Criticism

There are ongoing questions regarding the similarities and differences in the clinical impact and processes of change for cognitive restructuring and cognitive defusion. This clinical component test compared 87 adults high in self-criticism randomized to a cognitive defusion mobile app, restructuring app, or waitlist condition for two weeks. Equivalent improvements were found from the defusion and restructuring apps relative to the waitlist in self-criticism and distress as well as decentering, self-compassion, and dysfunctional attitudes. However, the defusion condition had a more consistent pattern of improvements relative to waitlist. Improvements in cognitive decentering, self-compassion, and dysfunctional attitudes mediated effects for cognitive defusion relative to waitlist. These mediators were inconsistent for cognitive restructuring. Improvements in self-compassion and cognitive decentering correlated with improvements in outcomes in the defusion condition, but not the restructuring condition. Overall, these results suggest mobile apps providing cognitive defusion and cognitive restructuring strategies are equally effective, but work through distinct processes of change

Evaluating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Self-Help Books for College Student Mental Health

Objectives: Self-help has the potential to improve access to mental health resources for college students. However, solutions are needed to improve sustainable delivery, cost- effectiveness, and to know which resources are most useful. Methods: A sample of 109 college students were randomly assigned to read either an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) self-help book through the University library website over 8 weeks with assessments at baseline, midtreatment (4-weeks), and posttreatment (8-weeks). Results: The majority of participants reported reading over half of their assigned book and high satisfaction ratings were given for both books. Both conditions demonstrated equivalent medium to large effect sizes for improvements over time on outcomes (psychological distress, positive mental health, academic distress) and processes of change (psychological inflexibility, mindfulness, cognitive fusion). However, the ACT condition produced improvements on obstruction with valued action more quickly than MBSR. Across conditions, baseline to midtreatment improvements in psychological inflexibility, valued action, cognitive fusion, and mindfulness all predicted baseline to posttreatment improvements in psychological distress. Improvements in psychological inflexibility more strongly predicted improvements in positive mental health in the MBSR condition. Conclusions: Overall, results suggest the potential benefits of both ACT and MBSR self-help books for improving student mental health and the potential promise of delivering these books through online university library systems

Preliminary Findings on Processes of Change and Moderators for Cognitive Defusion and Restructuring Delivered Through Mobile Apps

A process-based therapy approach emphasizes examining how and for whom specific therapeutic components linked to specific processes of change function. This preliminary study explored the processes of change for cognitive defusion and restructuring with daily ratings of self-criticism from a larger component trial as well as self-compassion as a moderator of these daily effects. A sample of 51 adults high in self-criticism (M age = 22.69, 78% female, 88% non-Hispanic White) were randomized to a cognitive defusion or restructuring mobile app for two weeks and completed daily assessments. Both conditions improved over time on daily frequency, defused noticing, challenging, and believability of self-critical thoughts as well as valued actions, with larger improvements in the defusion condition only for thought frequency and defused noticing. Global self-compassion moderated several effects such that only participants lower in self-compassion improved over time on daily self-criticism processes in the restructuring condition, while effects over time in the defusion condition generally did not vary by level of self-compassion. Improvements in daily frequency, defused noticing, and challenging self-critical thoughts as well as valued action each predicted global improvements in self-criticism at post-intervention across conditions. Overall, these preliminary results suggest cognitive defusion and restructuring may have some similar effects on self-criticism related processes of change, particularly for those low in self-compassion. However, defusion may produce larger effects on some targeted processes, especially among those with higher self-compassion

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for a Case of Scrupulosity-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a modern form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) with growing support for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We present a case wherein a client presented with scrupulosity-related OCD. We briefly review scrupulosity, explain the theory behind ACT, and present a case, the treatment process, and desired outcomes. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is described from an ACT perspective and discussed as an option for people with OCD who may be reluctant to engage in more traditional forms of ERP

Cross-Cultural Comparison of Values in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Expressive Writing Paradigm in the United States and South Korea

The aim of the current study is threefold: (a) to explore similarities and differences in values between students in the United States and students in South Korea; (b) to study the impact of expressive writing on value concordant living; and (c) to examine potential differences in writing across cultures. A total of 571 participants from the US and 547 participants from South Korea were recruited for part 1 of the study. Different rank orders in the Valued Living Questionnaire between these two countries were observed using mean differences. A total of 51 students from the US and 14 students from South Korea were recruited for part 2 of this study. A Friedman test was used, and several statistical differences were observed between these countries due to the impact of expressive writing. Participants were divided into three experimental groups: Values, Traumatic, and Control. A brief content analysis was conducted on the actual writings from participants between the United States and South Korea. Different and similar values themes were confirmed from the writings between the two, consistent with the results of part 1

A Meta-Analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Treating Substance Use Disorders

Background: In the past decade, multiple studies have examined the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for substance use disorders relative to other active treatments. The current meta-analysis examined the aggregate effect size when comparing ACT to other treatments (e.g., CBT, pharmacotherapy, 12-step, treatment as usual) specifically on substance use outcomes. Method: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials were identified through systematic searches. Results: A significant small to medium effect size was found favoring ACT relative to active treatment comparisons following treatment. Effect sizes were comparable across studies for smoking cessation (k = 5) and for other drug use disorders (k = 5). Conclusions: Based on these findings, ACT appears to be a promising intervention for substance use disorders. Limitations and future directions are discussed

An Initial Meta-Analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Treating Substance Use Disorders

Background: In the past decade, multiple studies have examined the effectiveness ofAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for substance use disorders relative to other active treatments. The current meta-analysis examined the aggregate effect size when comparing ACT to other treatments (e.g., CBT, pharmacotherapy, 12-step,treatment as usual) specifically on substance use outcomes. Method: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials were identified through systematic searches. Results: A significant small to medium effect size was found favoring ACT relative to active treatment comparisons following treatment. Effect sizes were comparable across studies for smoking cessation (k = 5) and for other drug use disorders (k = 5). Conclusions:Based on these findings, ACT appears to be a promising intervention for substance use disorders. Limitations and future directions are discussed

A Meta-Analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Treating Substance Use Disorders

Background: In the past decade, multiple studies have examined the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for substance use disorders relative to other active treatments. The current meta-analysis examined the aggregate effect size when comparing ACT to other treatments (e.g., CBT, pharmacotherapy, 12-step, treatment as usual) specifically on substance use outcomes. Method: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials were identified through systematic searches. Results: A significant small to medium effect size was found favoring ACT relative to active treatment comparisons following treatment. Effect sizes were comparable across studies for smoking cessation (k = 5) and for other drug use disorders (k = 5). Conclusions: Based on these findings, ACT appears to be a promising intervention for substance use disorders. Limitations and future directions are discussed