Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Flexibility and Alexithymia of Women with Chronic Pain

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Masters Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University of Shahrood, Shahrood, Iran

2 Assistant Professor Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University of Shahrood, Shahrood, Iran

3 Masters student Department of Counseling and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University scholar Ardabil, Iran

4 PhD student, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University Torbat Jam, Iran

Abstract

Pain in the life of one of the most important reasons is disruptive mental health. The aim of this study was efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on psychological flexibility and alexithymia of women with chronic pain. The research design was quasi-experimental with pre-posttest and control group. Statistic population was women from age 18- 65 years- old with chronic pain that were referred to health clinics in Sari in 2016 year. 30 patients were selected by convenience sampling method and assigned to experimental and control groups randomly. The sample group completed cognitive flexibility (Dennis & Vendral, 2010), and alexithymia (Bagbi, Parcker & Taylor, 1994). For experimental group, acceptance and commitment therapy was executed at 8 weekly sessions in 60 minutes whereas control groups have any therapy. Result of analysis of univariate and multivariate of covariance indicated scores of flexibility has increase in experimental group and alexithymia has decrease in experimental group compared with the control group scores. Therefore, we conclude acceptance and commitment therapy have favorable affected on psychological flexibility and alexithymia in patient with chronic pain. And this method can be used to increase the psychological flexibility and reduce alexithymia in women with chronic pain.

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References

 
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Journal of Psychological Studies
Volume 14, Issue 3 - Serial Number 52
November 2018
Pages 163-178

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