The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on body image and identity styles of female students with anorexia nervosa

It seems eating disorder is increasing in adolescent. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment-based therapy on body image and identity styles of female students with anorexia nervosa.
The research design was quasi-experimental, pre-test and post-test and control group. The statistical population was adolescent girls with anorexia in the academic year 2020-2021 Karaj. At least 30 students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. In 10 treatment sessions, the experimental group received treatment, and the control group did not benefit from this intervention.  The instruments used were Garner and Garfingel (1982) Eating Attitudes Questionnaire, Brzonsky Identity Styles Questionnaire (1989) and Imaging Physics Questionnaire (Kash & Prozinski, 1990). Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance and mixed analysis of variance.
The results showed that acceptance and commitment-based therapy leads to the emergence of a positive body image and the acquisition of a committed identity in students (p <0.01). Follow-up also showed that the effectiveness of the intervention is lasting.
According to the findings, it can be concluded that the method of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy leads to the positive body image and committed identity style in female adolescent. Therefore, psychologists and counselors can use this treatment for female students with anorexia.