Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
PhD student, Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Susangard Branch, Islamic Azad University, Susangard, Iran. Zahra.
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Masjed Soleiman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Masjed Soleiman, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on self-criticism and pessimistic marital expectations in neurotic perfectionist girls.
Method: The research population consisted of neurotic perfectionist girls visiting counseling centers in Ahvaz in 2022. The participants were a sample of 5 girls selected using purposive sampling with a minimum cut-off score of 145 in the Neurotic Perfectionism Questionnaire (NPQ). In this research, a single-case quasi-experimental design, specifically a type of concurrent multiple baseline designs, was used. The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was implemented in eleven 90-minute sessions. The participants completed the Levels of Self-Criticism Scale (LSCS) and the Marital Expectation Scale.
Results: The data were collected in three baseline, intervention, and three-month follow-up phases and analyzed using the Reliable Change Index (RCI), recovery percentage, and visual inspection. The analysis of the recovery percentage showed that the participants' Self-Criticism (21.42) and Pessimistic Marital Expectations (18.23) improved in the intervention phase, and their Self-Criticism (51.68) and Pessimistic Marital Expectations (24.86) improved in the follow-up phase. Moreover, the Reliable Change Index of both variables in the post-treatment and follow-up phases was significant (z = 1.96, α = 0.05).
Discussion and Conclusion: Therefore, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy reduces self-criticism and pessimistic marital expectations by increasing psychological flexibility.
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