ACTsocially: The (Dis)Similarities of ACT for Changing Internalizing and Externalizing Symptomatology in Adolescence
University of Coimbra
54 participants
Sep 1, 2023
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Social functioning, fundamental to adolescent's development and mental health, may be impaired by polarizing problematic social functioning, namely externalizing symptoms manifested by Oppositional Defiant Disorder and internalizing symptoms portrayed by Social Anxiety Disorder. Despite their high prevalence and similar associated impairments, interventions targeting these disorders are differently conceived. Alternatively, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) proposes that those apparently dissimilar social difficulties are rooted in similar processes. Though research has shown ACTs' efficacy in changing adults' internalizing and externalizing symptoms, studies on the potential of ACT in changing those problematics in adolescence are still scarce. This project proposes to conduct three clinical trials to test the efficacy and (dis)similarities of an transdiagnostic ACT intervention for changing internalizing and externalizing symptomatology in adolescents. It will amplify the transdiagnostic and evidence-based application of ACT to adolescents presenting polarizing disorders in the social functioning spectrum.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Study I:
- Main diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Meeting diagnostic criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Study II:
- Main diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Meeting diagnostic criteria for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Exclusion Criteria4
- Impaired cognitive development based on school records
- Presence of psychotic symptoms according to the diagnostic interview
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder according to the diagnostic interview
- Currently undergoing another psychological intervention for a psychiatric condition
Interventions
Adapted from the ACT@TeenSAD intervention program developed within the TeenSAD research project (NCT04979676), the ACTsocially intervention program is a structured, manualized face-to-face transdiagnostic intervention grounded in the PF model of ACT. The intervention consists of 11 weekly 50-minute sessions. Core content is organized across four modules (1: The role of psychological (in)flexibility; 2: The foundation of psychological flexibility; 3: Psychological flexibility in action; 4: Revision of gains and relapse prevention). Sessions follow a consistent structure beginning with a mindfulness exercise, followed by a brief review of the previous session and discussion of the adolescent's experiences with the between-session commitment. The therapist then introduces one or more activities centered on the weekly theme, which may involve psychoeducation, metaphors, or experiential exercises. Each session concludes with the introduction of a new commitment for the following week.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07456631