Investigating the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The aim of this study is to develop an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)- based intervention, to examine its effect on psychological flexibiliy in parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to compare it with the control group. This study was designed in a randomized controlled semi-experimental design. Pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up measurements were conducted. The data collection instruments used were the Demographic Information Form, Parental Psychological Flexibility Scale, Parenting Stress Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Life Satisfaction Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, the ACT (experimental group) and control group were determined homogeneously through simple random sampling. A total of 34 parents participated in the study, 16 of whom were in the experimental group. The intervention program, consisting of six sessions of 90 minutes over two days, was applied to the parents in the ACT group. After completing follow-up measurements simultaneously with the experimental group, the control group participated in a one-day ACT workshop. The results have demonstrated significant differences in favor of the experimental group, as evidenced by the final test and follow-up measurements. Specifically, the the experimental group had significantly reduced parental stress, increased psychological flexibility, improved self-understanding, reduced anxiety and stress symptoms, and increased life satisfaction when compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in depression symptoms. The research findings have been extensively discussed, and several recommendations for future research have been proposed. This study contributes both to assisting in the challenges experienced by parents of children diagnosed with ADHD and to the existing body of literature on ACT intervention studies.