Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Suicidal Thoughts and Emotion Regulation in Secondary School Students

Background: Suicidal thoughts and emotion regulation difficulties are critical mental health concerns among adolescents, particularly in secondary school students. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown promise in addressing these issues. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ACT on reducing suicidal thoughts and improving emotion regulation in secondary school students in Shahroud. Method: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up was employed, including two experimental groups (ACT and psychoeducation) and one control group. The statistical population comprised all secondary school students in Shahroud during the ۲۰۲۴-۲۰۲۵ academic year. A sample of ۴۵ students with elevated suicidal thoughts and emotion regulation difficulties was selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups (n=۱۵ each). The ACT group received ten ۹۰-minute weekly sessions, the psychoeducation group received ten weekly sessions, and the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Findings: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between groups in post-test and follow-up scores for suicidal thoughts (F=۴۸.۳۲, p<۰.۰۰۱) and emotion regulation (F=۵۲.۱۷, p<۰.۰۰۱). Bonferroni post-hoc tests indicated that ACT was significantly more effective than psychoeducation and control in reducing suicidal thoughts and improving emotion regulation (p<۰.۰۵), and effects were maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: ACT is an effective intervention for reducing suicidal thoughts and enhancing emotion regulation in secondary school students, with sustained benefits. It is recommended for use in school-based mental health programs.

کلیدواژه ها:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ، suicidal thoughts ، emotion regulation ، secondary school students