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Yousefi M, Nayyeri M. The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in a Group Setting on Social Competence, Academic Motivation, and the Improvement of High-Risk Behaviors in Male Students. sjmshm 2025; 7 (4) :10-16
URL: http://sjmshm.srpub.org/article-3-308-en.html
URL: http://sjmshm.srpub.org/article-3-308-en.html
1- Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Torbat-e Jam Branch, Torbat-e Jam, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Torbat-e Jam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Torbat-e Jam, Iran ,mahdi.nayyeri@iautj.ac.ir
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Torbat-e Jam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Torbat-e Jam, Iran ,
Abstract: (5 Views)
The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on social competence, academic motivation, and reduction of high-risk behaviors in first-grade secondary school male students. The research employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population comprised all first-grade secondary school male students (7th, 8th, and 9th grades) in Mashhad during the academic year 2025–2026. Using multi-stage cluster sampling, a sample of 30 participants was selected and then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 participants per group). The Social Competence Questionnaire the Academic Motivation Questionnaire, and the Iranian Adolescent Risk-Taking Scale were administered to assess the study variables in the sample. The group-based ACT intervention was delivered to the experimental group over eight 90-minute sessions, while the control group received no training. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and paired-samples t-test in SPSS-22. The findings indicated that posttest means differed significantly between the experimental and control groups (P < .05). The results demonstrated that group-based ACT significantly increased social competence and academic motivation while reducing high-risk behaviors. Furthermore, the two-month follow-up results demonstrated desirable stability of the treatment effects across all three variables. Therefore, it is recommended that ACT-based programs be considered as an effective approach within school counseling and education as well
Keywords: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), social competence, academic motivation, high-risk behaviors, male students
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Psychiatry and Mental Health
Received: 2025/08/23 | Revised: 2025/10/30 | Accepted: 2025/11/17 | Published: 2025/12/27
Received: 2025/08/23 | Revised: 2025/10/30 | Accepted: 2025/11/17 | Published: 2025/12/27
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