Comparison of the Effectiveness of Reality Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Work Engagement and Adjustment to Disability Among Persons with Disabilities Covered by the Welfare Organization

Leila Sadat Modaresi; Parisa  Kolahi; Arsalan  Barekat; Tayebeh  Delshad; Soheila  Rahmani; Amine  Jalali

Authors

Leila Sadat Modaresi MA, Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Corresponding author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0492-1374
Parisa Kolahi Department of Psychology, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5338-711X
Arsalan Barekat Department of Health Psychology, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Mazandaran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9528-6049
Tayebeh Delshad MA, Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, Tehran Medical Sciences Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7625-0057
Soheila Rahmani Department of Health Psychology, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9897-7017
Amine Jalali Department of Psychology, Si.C., Islamic Azad University, Sirjan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1770-9891

Keywords:

Reality Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Work Engagement, Adjustment to Disability, Persons with Disabilities, Rehabilitation

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Reality Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on work engagement and adjustment to disability among persons with disabilities covered by the Welfare Organization.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with two intervention groups and one control group. The statistical population consisted of persons aged 18–35 years with physical-motor, sensory, or other disabilities receiving services from the Welfare Organization of Tehran in 2025. A total of 45 eligible participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to Reality Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and control groups, with 15 participants in each group. The intervention groups received eight structured group sessions of their respective treatments, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Raymond Adjustment to Disability Questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS-26 using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons.

Findings: Repeated-measures analysis showed significant effects of time, group, and the time-by-group interaction for work engagement, F(4,84) = 31.76, p < .001, partial η² = .602, and adjustment to disability, F(4,84) = 39.58, p < .001, partial η² = .653. Bonferroni comparisons indicated that both Reality Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly outperformed the control group at posttest and follow-up on both outcomes (p < .001). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was also significantly more effective than Reality Therapy in improving work engagement at posttest (p = .039) and follow-up (p = .034), as well as adjustment to disability at posttest (p = .033) and follow-up (p = .031).

Conclusion: Both Reality Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy were effective in improving work engagement and adjustment to disability, but Acceptance and Commitment Therapy produced stronger and sustained effects and may therefore be particularly useful in psychological and vocational rehabilitation programs for persons with disabilities.

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