Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy on the Resilience of Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) on the resilience of caregivers of individuals with dementia.

Methods and Materials: The research method was quasi-experimental, utilizing a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population of this study was selected from the primary caregivers (female spouses and daughters) of individuals with dementia who visited the Iranian Dementia Association (located in Tehran) in 2023. From this population, 45 participants were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned into three equal groups of 15 (two experimental groups and one control group). To collect data, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC, 1991) was used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software and multivariate covariance analysis tests.

Findings: The results indicated that both interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy, resulted in a significant difference in the resilience of caregivers of individuals with dementia in the post-test and follow-up phases compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that Emotion-Focused Therapy had a greater impact on the resilience of caregivers of individuals with dementia.