Effect of self-help intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy on depression, anxiety, stress and psychological flexibility levels of university students

Depression, anxiety and stress are common among university students. However, they are less likely to receive psychological help due to factors such as economic costs, long waiting lists, stigma, inability to find a competent specialist, and transportation. The aim of this study is to examine the development of acceptance and commitment therapy-based self-help intervention and the effect of the developed self-help practice on the depression, anxiety, stress and psychological flexibility levels of university students. This research was carried out in an explanatory basic design from mixed method research. In the quantitative part of the study, an experimental design of 2 (experimental and control groups) x 3 (pretest-posttest and follow-up test) was used. The study group of the research consisted of 47 university students continuing their education in the 2022-2023 academic year. While the guided self-help application based on acceptance and commitment therapy for 7 weeks was applied to the experimental group, no intervention was made to the control group. While Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale and Acceptance and Action Form-2 were used as quantitative data collection tools in the research, semi-structured interview form was used as qualitative data collection tool. Independent samples t-test, one-factor analysis of covariance, and one-way analysis of variance and content analysis for repeated measurements were used to analyze the data of the study. According to the quantitative results of the study, it was found that guided CBT-based self-help intervention decreased students' depression, anxiety, and stress levels and increased their psychological flexibility levels. The qualitative findings of the study revealed four general themes: "Challenges in implementing the CHF intervention program", "Highlights of the CHF intervention program", "Benefits of the CHF intervention program", "Components of the CHF intervention program". The effects of the self-help intervention program on the depression, anxiety, stress and psychological resilience levels of university students and the findings on students' self-help experiences have been discussed of the relevant literature.