اثربخشی درمان گروهی آنلاین مبتنی بر پذیرش و تعهد بر ناگویی هیجانی و نشانه‌های سوگ در افراد داغدیده از جنگ

شیدا اسمعیل زاده; آفاق  جعفری; سهیلا  اسگندانی; حسنا  رستمی; آتیه  فلاحی بویه

Authors

Sheyda Esmaeilzadeh Department of General Psychology,Ro.C.,Islamic Azad University,Roudehen,Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7115-3102
Afagh Jafari Department of Psychology, WT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8733-8964
Soheila Esgandani Department of Psychology, WT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6060-7955
Hosna Rostami Department of Psychology, WT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5186-9157
Atiyeh Fallahi Bouyeh Department of Psychology, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5674-4139

Keywords:

Online group therapy based on acceptance and commitment, alexithymia, grief symptoms, war, bereaved individuals

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of online group therapy based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on alexithymia and grief symptoms in war-bereaved individuals.

Methodology: This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of war-bereaved men and women aged 25 to 55 years living in Tehran in 1405 (Persian calendar). Forty participants were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups (20 participants each). The experimental group received eight 60-minute sessions of online group ACT based on Hayes’ (2004) protocol, while the control group remained on a waiting list. Research instruments included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Grief Experience Questionnaire (GEQ). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc test in SPSS-28.

Findings: The results of MANCOVA demonstrated that online group ACT significantly reduced alexithymia (η²p=0.24, p=0.001) and its components including difficulty identifying feelings (η²p=0.21), difficulty describing feelings (η²p=0.19), and externally oriented thinking (η²p=0.11). Significant reductions were also observed in grief symptoms (η²p=0.28, p=0.001) and the subcomponents of guilt feelings (η²p=0.22), physical reactions (η²p=0.17), feelings of abandonment (η²p=0.10), and judgment regarding the cause of death (η²p=0.04) (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found between the groups regarding attempts to justify and cope, shame and embarrassment, and stigma.

Conclusion: Online group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy appears to be an effective intervention for reducing alexithymia and grief symptoms among war-bereaved individuals. This approach may serve as an accessible, flexible, and evidence-based therapeutic method for psychological rehabilitation of war survivors in counseling and psychotherapy settings.

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