The effect of acceptance and commitment therapy-based counseling on beliefs to mental illness, self-stigmatization and psychological flexibility on family members of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy-based counseling on beliefs about mental illness, self-stigma and psychological flexibility on family members of individuals with schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a single-blind randomized controlled experimental design. The population of the study consisted of family members of 403 individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia followed by two Community Mental Health Centers in Samsun. Power analysis was performed in the study, and the study was completed with 25 experimental group and 25 control group family members who met the inclusion criteria. Ethics committee permission, institutional permission, and voluntary consent of family members were obtained before starting the study. Acceptance and commitment therapy based online counseling program was applied to family members in the experimental group, one session per week, in total six sessions. In the research, "Socio-Demographic Characteristics Form", "Scale of Beliefs Regarding Mental Illness", "Scale of Self-Stigma for Families" and "Scale of Psychological Flexibility" were applied for pretest and posttest measurements. In the analysis of the data, skewness and kurtosis coefficient, percentile and frequency distribution, Chi-square test, Independent groups t test and Pillai's Trace test were used. Intention to Treat analysis was performed in order to preserve randomization and to evaluate the effect of the applied program within real limits. Results: It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups when family members were examined in terms of control variables (p>0.05). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based online group counseling program reduced it by creating an effect the experimental group's family members' Scale of Beliefs Towards Mental Illness mean score with 65.4%, Scale of Self-Stigma for Families mean score with 48%, and Scale of Psychological Flexibility mean score with 66% (p<0.001). Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was concluded that the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Based Online Counseling Program applied to the family members in the experimental group had a positive effect on the family members' beliefs about mental illness, self-stigma and psychological flexibility levels. Keywords: Family member, Acceptance and commitment therapy, Self-stigma, Online counseling, Psychiatric nursing, Psychological flexibility, Belief in mental illness, Schizophrenia