The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on cognitive regulation of emotion, mindfulness and self-compassion in patients with major depression

Considering the wide range of symptoms and clinical characteristics of major depression, it can be said that many factors are involved in the severity of depressive episodes, their recurrence, and the extent of their consequences; Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on cognitive regulation of emotion, mindfulness, and self-compassion in patients with major depression.

The research was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all people suffering from major depressive disorder who referred to Jowan Clinic in Tehran in 2022. 30 patients with major depression were selected as a sample and randomly replaced in two experimental groups and a control group (15 people). The research tools were: cognitive emotion regulation scale, self-compassion scale, mindfulness assessment scale and therapy sessions based on parenting and commitment. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance test.

The results of data analysis showed that the treatment based on parenting and commitment significantly led to the adjustment of cognitive emotion regulation strategies, increasing self-compassion and mindfulness in patients with major depressive disorder (P<0.01).

Based on the findings of the research, it can be said that the therapy based on acceptance and commitment can be used as an effective intervention to improve cognitive emotion regulation strategies, increase self-compassion and mindfulness in people with major depressive disorder.