M.A. Thesis:

Study the Effectiveness of ACT on Mental Pressure and Alexithymia among Second Grade High School Female Students in Sabzevar

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of education based on the acceptance and commitment approach (ACT) on reducing stress and mood apathy in female high school students in Sabzevar in the academic year 2019-2020. This study was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and control group. The statistical population included all female high school students in Sabzevar, 50 of whom were selected as a sample by purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. After performing the pre-test, the experimental group received a training program based on acceptance and commitment in 9 sessions of 75 minutes, and then, the post-test was performed. Research data were collected using Toronto (2007) Mood Dysfunction Questionnaire and Cohen et al. (1983) Perceived Stress Scale. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (analysis of covariance) with the help of SPSS-22 software. The results showed that education based on the acceptance and commitment approach (ACT) had a significant effect on reducing stress and mood swings in female high school students in Sabzevar in the academic year 2019-2020 (p <0.05).

Keywords: Acceptance and Commitment Approach, Stress, Mood Dysfunction, Female Students.