Acceptance and commitment group therapy among Saudi Muslim females with mental health disorders

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the potential acceptance, feasibility, and clinical impact of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in a group format for Saudi women who struggle with depression and anxiety disorders. The findings may help clinicians in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim communities to be aware of ACT as an emerging therapeutic approach for treating depression and anxiety and related conditions. Methods: Eight women with depression and anxiety in Riyadh city in the year 2017 were included in the study. A qualitative design was used for this study to test the possible effectiveness of and receptivity to a group treatment protocol based on ACT among Muslim Saudi females. The ACT group met for one 1.5-h session per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Thematic analysis techniques were employed. To explore and describe participants' experiences, the data were analyzed for emerging themes that were then identified and coded. Results: The results showed preliminary support that ACT could be an effective, well-received therapeutic approach for Muslim Saudi women as far as decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety and making an overall positive change in their attitudes and behavior, as well as increasing self-confidence. Conclusions: ACT group therapy was well appreciated and viewed as being culturally and religiously acceptable by the Saudi Muslim female participants. The present results support the notion that ACT is well appreciated as a potential means of reducing depression and anxiety and can help enhance positive emotions and increase the psychological well-being of Saudi women.

Automated summary

This study examined the acceptance, feasibility, and clinical impact of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in a group format for Saudi women with depression and anxiety disorders. The results showed that ACT was effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, improving attitudes and behavior, and increasing self-confidence among Muslim Saudi women. The ACT group therapy was well-appreciated and culturally and religiously acceptable by the participants, suggesting it can help enhance the psychological well-being of Saudi women.