The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Enhancing Post-Traumatic Growth in Adolescent Survivors of Sexual Assault

Seyedeh Nafiseh  Mohseni Mansour; Mahboubeh  Abdollahzade Ata Abadi; Zeinab  Es’haqian; Mehdi  Babajanzadeh Barforoushi; Nasim  Samadifard

doi:10.61838/

Authors

Seyedeh Nafiseh Mohseni Mansour Department of Clinical Psychology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Mahboubeh Abdollahzade Ata Abadi * Department of Psychology, Baharestan Branch, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran mahboobeabdelahzade@gmail.com

Zeinab Es’haqian Department of Psychology, El.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Mehdi Babajanzadeh Barforoushi Department of Clinical Psychology, Cha.C., Islamic Azad University, Chalus, Iran

Nasim Samadifard Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

https://doi.org/10.61838/

Keywords:

acceptance and commitment therapy; post-traumatic stress disorder; post-traumatic growth; sexual assault; adolescence; trauma therapy.

Abstract

Sexual assault during adolescence is associated with profound psychological sequelae, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet traumatic exposure may also be followed by post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study evaluated whether Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) could simultaneously reduce PTSD symptoms and strengthen PTG in adolescent survivors of sexual assault. The study used a randomized controlled, pre-test/post-test/follow-up design. Forty-two adolescent girls aged 13–18 years who met diagnostic criteria for PTSD after sexual assault were recruited from counseling centers, forensic medicine clinics, and welfare-related services in Tehran and randomly assigned to ACT or treatment as usual (TAU). The ACT condition involved 12 weekly 90-minute sessions adapted for trauma-exposed adolescents and focused on acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action. Outcomes were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 (CPSS-5), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory for Children–Revised (PTGI-C-R). Data were analyzed with mixed-design analysis of variance. Thirty-nine participants completed the study (ACT, n=19; TAU, n=20). A significant Time × Group interaction was found for PTSD symptoms, F(2,74)=45.32, p<0.001, ηp2=0.55, showing a marked reduction in the ACT group from pre-test to post-test that was maintained at follow-up. A similarly significant Time × Group interaction emerged for PTG, F(2,74)=38.91, p<0.001, ηp2=0.51, indicating substantial gains in growth-related outcomes in the ACT group, with further improvement at the two-month follow-up. The control group showed no significant change in either outcome. ACT appears to be an effective intervention for adolescent survivors of sexual assault. Beyond symptom reduction, it may also support constructive post-traumatic adaptation by helping adolescents respond more flexibly to trauma-related thoughts and emotions and re-engage with personally meaningful life directions.

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