A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Positive Psychotherapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the Self-Esteem of Female Students with a History of Attempted Suicide in Bafgh

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Zarand Branch, Zarand, Iran

10.34172/jhad.1166

Abstract

Background: Suicide is a devastating event for individuals, families, and society at large. Accordingly, youth suicide represents one of the most tragic phenomena, necessitating urgent attention from all stakeholders to address the underlying issues that render life unbearable for these individuals. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of two psychotherapeutic approaches, positive psychotherapy (PPT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), on the self-esteem of female students with a history of attempted suicide in Bafgh, Kerman Province, Iran in 2023.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test structure, including experimental (positive psychotherapy), comparison (acceptance and commitment therapy), and control groups, with a follow-up phase. The research population consisted of all female students in Bafgh who had attempted suicide between 2020 and 2023. Using convenience sampling, 45 eligible students were selected and randomly assigned to three experimental (PPT), comparison (ACT), and control groups (15 in each). The students in the experimental and comparison groups attended 12 weekly therapy sessions, while the participants in the control group were placed on a waiting list. Self-esteem for the students in the three groups was assessed at three stages—pre-test, post-test, and follow-up—using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965).
Results: The results indicated that the post-intervention mean self-esteem scores in both the PPT group (3.47 ± 5.87) and the ACT group (3.67 ± 3.94) were significantly higher than those of the students in the control group (-1.34 ± 3.52). However, when comparing the magnitude of the interventions’ effects, PPT showed an effect size of 31.9%, and ACT showed an effect size of 31.3% (P < 0.01). These findings suggested that positive psychotherapy and acceptance and commitment therapy had approximately equal effectiveness in enhancing the self-esteem of female students with a history of attempted suicide.
Conclusion: Both acceptance and commitment therapy and positive psychotherapy can be considered effective approaches for improving self-esteem.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Health and Development Journal
Volume 12, Issue 4
November 2023
Pages 162-168

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 November 2024
  • Revise Date: 06 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 07 January 2025

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