EFFICACY OF ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT IN TREATMENT OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY SYMPTOMS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Background: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a prevalent and impairing condition among university students, often triggered by academic stress, financial concerns, and social pressures. Traditional therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are commonly used; however, newer approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), focusing on psychological flexibility and mindfulness, are emerging as promising alternatives. This study explored the effectiveness of ACT in managing GAD symptoms in university students.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in reducing symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder among university students using a structured intervention plan.

Methods: A quantitative, quasi-experimental study using a within-subject pre-posttest design was conducted. A total of 11 participants (8 females and 3 males), aged 18–29 years, were recruited via convenience sampling from universities in Karachi. Eligibility was determined based on moderate anxiety levels using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Participants underwent eight weekly, individual ACT sessions focused on mindfulness, acceptance, cognitive defusion, values clarification, and committed action. Pre- and post-intervention anxiety levels were measured using GAD-7, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Paired sample t-tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were applied to evaluate outcomes.

Results: The mean GAD-7 score significantly decreased from 10.64 (SD = 2.25) pre-intervention to 6.18 (SD = 2.18) post-intervention (t(10) = -12.17, p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.841, p = 0.001) was observed between pre- and post-scores. ANOVA results indicated no significant difference in post-intervention variance across participants (p = 0.934), confirming consistent therapeutic impact.

Conclusion: ACT was found to be a clinically effective and statistically significant intervention for reducing GAD symptoms in university students. The findings support its use as a viable alternative to conventional therapies in educational and clinical settings.