Using network analysis to examine connections between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) processes, internalizing symptoms, and well-being in a sample of undergraduates

Hana-May Eadeh; Jenna L Adamowicz; Kristian Markon; Emily B K Thomas

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2022.10.004

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Using network analysis to examine connections between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) processes, internalizing symptoms, and well-being in a sample of undergraduates

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Using network analysis to examine connections between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) processes, internalizing symptoms, and well-being in a sample of undergraduates

Hana-May Eadeh, Jenna L Adamowicz, Kristian Markon and Emily B K Thomas

Journal of affective disorders, Vol.320, pp.701-709

01/2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.10.004

PMCID: PMC9675720

PMID: 36209776

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/9675720View

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Abstract

Background Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been shown to be effective in treating internalizing symptoms. Understanding which ACT processes are most closely linked to certain symptoms may help develop targeted treatments. Network analysis an approach to gain insight into the interconnection between processes and the downstream benefits of targeting a particular process. However, limited work to date has explored networks involving ACT processes specifically. Methods Undergraduate students (N = 447; 76.5 % female; 89.5 % White/Non-Hispanic) completed online questionnaires. The ACT processes assessed included experiential avoidance (AAQ-II), openness, awareness, and engagement (CompACT), and tacting ability (TOF), and internalizing symptoms/well-being (IDAS-II). Zero-order and partial correlation networks were examined as well as resulting communities. Results In the association network, dysphoria and experiential avoidance, and suicidality (in the concentration network only) were central nodes. In community analyses, experiential avoidance had the strongest influence in the association network, whereas well-being had the strongest influence in the concentration network. Auto-detected communities were also evaluated. Limitations The present study was cross-sectional and included a largely White, female, undergraduate sample. This limits generalizability to more diverse, clinical, or general community populations. Potential concerns about data are also noted including low reliability on the TOF and two skewed domains on the IDAS-II which may impact stability of centrality metrics. Conclusions Well-being, dysphoria, and suicidality may be important process-based treatment targets. Further work is needed with diverse samples and using longitudinal designs to examine within person change of the associations between ACT processes and internalizing symptoms.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Using network analysis to examine connections between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) processes, internalizing symptoms, and well-being in a sample of undergraduates
Creators: Hana-May Eadeh
Jenna L Adamowicz
Kristian Markon
Emily B K Thomas
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of affective disorders, Vol.320, pp.701-709
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.10.004
PMID: 36209776
PMCID: PMC9675720
NLM abbreviation: J Affect Disord
ISSN: 0165-0327
eISSN: 1573-2517
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes of Health, award: T32GM108540
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 10/06/2022
Date published: 01/2023
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984306060302771

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