Comparison of the Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Integrated Approach Among Psychological Distress in People with Suicide Attempts

Since the suicide attempts increased as self-destructive, conscious, and purposeful actions. This research aimed to compare the effectiveness of two therapeutic approaches, Integrative and ACT, on psychological distress in people with suicide attempts.

The current research is a quasi-experimental with a pre-experimental-postexperimental study with a follow-up design. The statistical population of the present study included all people with suicide attempts in North Khorasan who were hospitalized in 2020. The study sample included 24 subjects who were selected through random sampling and inclusion criteria and assigned randomly into two experimental groups (12 people in each group). ACT and integrated treatment protocol accomplished in eight 90-minute sessions individually every week. The research tool was Kessler psychological distress scale (k-10) (2002). Data were collected in four stages: the fourth session, at the end of the intervention, and after two months. Data were analyzed using multivariate variance and by SPSS-26 software.

Both treatments affect psychological distress in the post-test and follow-up phase and have reduced the psychological distress scores of people who attempt suicide. Also, comparing the effectiveness of the two interventions, Integrated Approach was more effective on psychological distress in the follow-up.

Both treatments are effective in reducing psychological distress. Therefore, these two treatment methods are recommended for therapists to reduce suicide attempts