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Yaghoubi Navai M, Doostkam M, Mafakheri A. Comparing the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy and Group Schema Therapy on Social Health and Resilience of Maltreated Female Adolescents. MEJDS 2025; 15 (0) :59-59
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-3567-en.html
Comparing the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy and Group Schema Therapy on Social Health and Resilience of Maltreated Female Adolescents
Mojtaba Yaghoubi Navai *1 , Mohsen Doostkam2 , Abdollah Mafakheri3
1- PhD Student in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Attar Higher Education Institute, Mashhad, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (1424 Views)

Abstract
Background & Objectives: Maltreated female adolescents face heightened vulnerability due to adverse living conditions, deprivation of familial support, and exposure to psychosocial traumas that negatively impact their mental health and overall functioning. This population encounters significant challenges, including compromised social health, diminished resilience, emotional dysregulation, and interpersonal difficulties. Social health, defined as an individual's capacity to establish effective interactions with society, create satisfying relationships, and fulfill social roles, represents one of the most crucial indicators of mental health. Similarly, resilience, characterized as positive and successful adaptation in response to adversity, stress, and trauma, plays a pivotal role in psychological well–being and quality of life. Evidence–based treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and schema therapy represent innovative and effective approaches for improving psychosocial functioning in traumatized adolescents. Using a group approach for both treatment approaches and comparing them in the format described above can provide new insights into the effectiveness of group interventions for this specific population. So, the present study aimed to compare the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment group therapy versus group schema therapy on social health and resilience among maltreated female adolescents.
Methods: This quasi–experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population comprised all maltreated girls aged 12–18 years under the supervision of Mashhad Welfare Organization's residential centers, Mashhad City, Iran, in 2024. Forty–five participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 members each (two experimental groups and one control group). There was no sample dropout. Regular communication with participants, a suitable and accessible location, and timely reminders for meetings and assessments could be reasons for the lack of sample dropout. The inclusion criteria were maltreated female adolescents under welfare supervision, an age range of 12–18 years, informed consent for participation, and a minimum 6–month residence in care facilities. The exclusion criteria included acute psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, absence from more than two sessions, and unwillingness to cooperate. Data collection instruments included the Keyes Social Well–being Questionnaire (Keyes, 1998) and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (Connor & Davidson, 2003). Therapeutic interventions consisted of eight 90–minute sessions of ACT for the first experimental group and schema therapy for the second experimental group, implemented based on standardized protocols with confirmed content validity by experts. Before completing the questionnaires, the purpose of the study was explained to the participants. They filled out the informed consent form and were assured that their information would be kept confidential. Then, the implementation of the protocols began. Univariate analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to analyze the obtained data. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software version 29, and a significance level of 0.05 was determined as the basis for statistical decision–making.
Results: The results showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the variables of social health and resilience (p<0.001). Also, there was no significant difference between the ACT group and group schema therapy in social health (p=0.716) and resilience (p=1.000) of maltreated adolescent girls.
Conclusion: According to the research findings, there is no significant difference between acceptance and commitment group therapy and schema group therapy in improving social health and resilience of maltreated adolescent girls. Therefore, using these treatments as a complementary therapy alongside other treatment methods can help increase the resilience and social health of maltreated teenage girls.

Keywords: Acceptance and commitment group therapy, Group schema therapy, Social health, Resilience, Maltreated adolescent
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Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Psychology
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