Effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological flexibility in women with breast cancer

Abstract

Background: The present study proposes to investigate the benefits of a Therapeutic Approach based on Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) in the face of depression, anxiety, stress and psychological flexibility experienced by women with breast cancer. Methods: This research was conducted using a pre-test and post-test design with 40 breast cancer patients, allocated randomly to the intervention group (<i>n </i>= 20) and the control group (<i>n</i> = 20) through convenience sampling. Unlike the control group, the intervention group benefited from 6 sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21, and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II. Descriptive analyses (number, percentage, mean and standard deviation), Pearson correlations and analyses of covariance (ANCOVA and MANCOVA) were applied to measure the contribution of this psychotherapeutic approach. Results: The intervention group recorded a significant decrease in levels of depression, anxiety and stress (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and also showed a significant overall increase in levels of acceptance and psychological flexibility after this therapy (<i>p </i>< 0.05), compared with the control group. Conclusion: The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach provides real support for women with breast cancer, reducing manifestations of depression and anxiety, and promoting psychological acceptance and flexibility.