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The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological

Capital and Emotion Regulation of Students with Suicidal Ideation

Article · January 2022

DOI: 10.30491/IJBS.2022.335463.1779

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IJBS 10.30491/IJBS.2022.335463.1779

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences Original Paper

The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on

Psychological Capital and Emotion Regulation of Students with
Suicidal Ideation

Farzin Bagheri-Sheykhangafshe1 (MSc), Arina Kiani2 (BA), Vahid Savabi-Niri3 (MSc), Nasim Aghdasi4 (MSc), Zeynab
Bourbour5 (MSc)

1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Kurdistan,
Kurdistan, Iran
3. Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran
4. Department of Counseling, Bojnourd University, Bojnourd, Iran
5. Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Semnan, Iran
Corresponding Author:
Farzin Bagheri-Sheykhangafshe,
Submitted: 23 April 2022 Faculty of Humanities,
Accepted: 1 June 2022 Tarbiat Modares University,
Tehran,
Int J Behav Sci. 2022; 16(2): 96-102
Iran
E-mail: farzinbagheri73@[Link]

Abstract
Introduction: Suicidal ideation, like self-reported suicidal ideation, ranges from a vague, influential
desire to die to complete suicidal ideation. For this purpose, the present study was conducted to
investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on psychological capital and
emotion regulation of students with suicidal ideation.
Method: The present study was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design and a control group.
The statistical population of the study included students of Guilan University in 2021. Among them, 30
students were selected by the available sampling method and were then randomly assigned to
experimental and control groups. Suicide Thought (Beck et al., 1988), Psychological Capital (Luthans et
al., 2007), and Emotion Regulation (Gross and John, 2003) questionnaires were used to collect
information. Acceptance and commitment group therapy was performed on experimental groups
during eight sessions of two hours per week. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using a
multivariate analysis of covariance.
Results: According to findings, acceptance and commitment therapy significantly increases self-
esteem, optimism, resilience, self-efficacy, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression in students
with suicidal ideation (P<0/005).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, acceptance and commitment therapy can
increase psychological health by improving psychological capital and emotion regulation in people
with suicidal ideation. Therefore, this type of intervention is recommended to reduce suicidal thoughts.

Keywords: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychological Capital, Emotion Regulation, Suicidal
Ideation

Introduction
Suicide is an important public health challenge and the third leading cause of death for
adolescents and adults in the world [1]. According to the World Health Organization, 2% of
the population seriously decides to commit suicide during their lifetime, 5% eventually
commit suicide, and about one million people in the world die every year due to suicide [2].
Numerous biological, social, and psychological factors are associated with suicide, some of
the most important of which include depression, drug abuse, adverse life events, family
history of suicide, interpersonal relationship problems, and sexual identity problems [3]. The
suicide process involves thinking, planning, taking action, and finally completing suicide.
Suicidal ideation is an important precursor to suicide, and in 60% of cases, the transition

IJBS
Bagheri-Sheykhangafshe et al.

from suicidal ideation to suicide occurs within a year [4]. ideation. Young people with higher emotion regulation
Students are one of the groups at risk of depression, were better able to control situations in sensitive situations
frustration and suicidal ideation. According to studies, the and experience fewer suicidal thoughts. In another study,
prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning and suicide in Baer et al. [23] examined the relationship between emotion
students has been reported as 22.3%, 6.1% and 3.2%, regulation strategies and suicidal ideation in 362 young
respectively [5]. Studies conducted in Iran indicate a people. The results showed that the use of positive emotion
prevalence of 1.8 to 42% of suicidal thoughts and regulation strategies was associated with a reduction in
behaviors in students [6]. suicidal ideation-related thoughts and behaviors in young
Given that most cases of suicide lead to death are observed people.
in people who have committed suicide for the first time, One of the approaches that have considered the
early detection of suicidal ideation is very important, so it is dimensions of the definition of health and has been
necessary to study the status and factors associated with considered by psychologists in recent years to prevent
suicidal ideation in every society [1]. One of the factors suicide is the treatment of acceptance and commitment
influencing the decrease of thoughts and suicide attempts [24]. This treatment, as the third wave of cognitive-
is the psychological capital of individuals [7]. Psychological behavioral therapies, tries to increase the cognitive
capital is a positive psychological state of life that includes connection of the person with his thoughts and feelings
four dimensions of resilience, hope, optimism, and self- instead of cognition [25]. In acceptance and commitment
efficacy [8]. Resilience is defined as the ability of an therapy, it is assumed that human beings find many of their
individual to successfully adapt to difficulties and to create inner feelings, emotions or thoughts annoying and are
co-impotence in dealing with the problems of life [9]. constantly trying to change or get rid of these inner
Optimistic optimism comes as a single attribute on the experiences. These attempts at control are ineffective and
dipole continuum that lies at one end of optimism and at paradoxically exacerbate the feelings, emotions, and
the other end of pessimism [10]. Optimistic people exhibit thoughts that the individual initially tried to avoid [26].
more effective exposure behaviors, better social and better Ducasse et al. [27] examined the effectiveness of
social and physical wellbeing, more physical and physical acceptance and commitment-based therapy on managing
wellbeing than pessimists [11]. Hope is a positive suicidal ideation. The results showed that after receiving
motivational mode considering the clear objectives for life. treatment for depression, anxiety, frustration and
In the hope of a desire to desire or will to move toward emotional problems were significantly reduced.
goals and on the other hand, it lies in the appropriate ways As adolescence and student life are very sensitive and having
to achieve goals [12]. Self - efficacy is an important personal suicidal thoughts can have dire psychological and physical
and key source of transformation, compatibility and consequences for oneself and those around one, having
personal change and means one's judgment about its positive thoughts and using emotion regulation strategies
competence to manage different situations of life [13]. In play an important role in increasing people's mental health.
this regard, Gao et al. [14] in a study examined the role of According to studies, treatment based on acceptance and
psychological capital in predicting suicidal ideation. Studies commitment abroad in Iran was able to reduce suicidal
have shown a 14% prevalence of suicidal ideation. People ideation. Due to the fact that few studies have been
with high psychological capital had lower suicidal ideation. conducted in Iran, first of all, in addition to the variables of
In a review study, Preston et al. [15] examined the role of psychological capital and emotion regulation, it is necessary
psychological capital in the mental health of young people. to study the effectiveness of treatment based on acceptance
Findings indicated the role of psychological capital in and commitment to reduce suicidal ideation in students.
reducing depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. For this purpose, the present study was conducted to
Emotional regulation is another variable that can be answer the following hypotheses:
considered effective in suicidal ideation [16]. The ability to Acceptance and commitment therapy will increase the
regulate emotion includes modulating and regulating psychological capital of students with suicidal ideation.
emotional experiences to achieve desirable emotional Acceptance and commitment-based therapy will increase
states and adaptive outcomes [17]. Different theoretical emotion regulation in students with suicidal ideation.
models show the role of emotional response and emotional
regulation in the onset and maintenance of many Method
psychological symptoms [18]. Emotional regulation is a The design of the present study was quasi-experimental
broad structure that refers to individuals' strategies for with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The
controlling and regulating their emotions [19], which the statistical population of the study included students of
problem is associated with many psychological disorders Guilan University in 2021, from which 30 students were
[20]. Given the existence of defects and problems in the selected by convenience sampling method. The sample
identical structure as well as interpersonal communication size was considered for two groups using versions 3, 3, 9,
skills in people with suicidal ideation, the ability to regulate 2 of G*Power software [28]. After sampling, research
emotions can be considered effective in attempting suicide participants were randomly assigned to experimental
[21]. In a similar study, Quintana-Orts et al. [22] examined (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. Inclusion criteria
the relationship between suicidal ideation and emotion included belonging to the research community, age 20 to
regulation. The studies showed a negative and significant 40 years, obtaining an acceptable score for suicidal
relationship between emotion regulation and suicidal ideation, and not receiving very serious physical and

97 International Journal of Behavioral Sciences Vol.16, No.2, Summer 2022

 ACT on Psychological Capital and Emotion Regulation of Students with Suicidal Ideation

psychological therapies, personal desire and satisfaction. subscale of cognitive reappraisal and expressive
Also, cases such as absence from more than two sessions, suppression was reported to be 0.88 and 0.82.
creating problems in the program process, lack of proper Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, research questionnaires
interaction and cooperation, lack of following the were provided to students virtually. After completing the
program and tasks, lack of desire and personal questionnaires, students who scored between 6 and 19 on
satisfaction were considered as criteria for leaving the the Suicide Thought Scale were placed in two experimental
research. It is important to note that in the present study, and control groups. In order to comply with the health
all ethical considerations such as personal satisfaction, protocols, group therapy sessions based on acceptance
protection of personal information, and informed and commitment were held in the form of eight two-hour
participation were taken into account in accordance with weekly group sessions for the experimental group in the
Helsinki's ethical principles [29]. open air, while the control group did not receive any
The used tools in this study were as follows: intervention. Acceptance and commitment group therapy
Beck Suicide Thought Questionnaire (BSTQ): This was designed based on the acceptance and commitment
questionnaire is a 19-item based self -assessment tool programs proposed by Hayes et al. [36], taking into account
designed to assess, think, and plan for suicide by beck et al. the key characteristics in the design of acceptance and
in 1988 [30]. Participants answer yes and no to questions commitment programs (Table 1).
that range from 0 to 38. In this questionnaire, the first five
questions are designed for screening so that if students Results
give zero to the first five questions, they have no suicidal The mean and standard deviation of pre-test-post-test
thoughts. Scores between 1 and 5 indicate suicidal ideation, scores of psychological capital and emotion regulation of
scores between 6 and 19 indicate readiness for suicide, and students with suicidal ideation in the experimental and
scores between 20 and 38 indicate suicidal ideation [30]. In control groups are presented in Table 2. Also in this table, the
Iran, the simultaneous validity of this scale with general results of the Shapiro-Wilk test (S-W) are reported to check
health questionnaire was 0.76 and its validity was obtained the normality of the distribution of variables in the two
using Cronbach's alpha method which was equal to 0.95 groups. According to this table, Shapiro-Wilk statistics is not
[31]. In the present study, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of significant for all variables. Therefore, it can be concluded
this questionnaire was reported to be 0.87. that the distribution of variables is normal (Table 2).
Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ): This tool was Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the
designed by Luthans et al. in 2007 and consists of four effectiveness of treatment based on acceptance and
subscales of hope, optimism, resilience and self-efficacy. commitment on psychological capital and emotion
This questionnaire consists of 24 questions, each subscale regulation of students with suicidal ideation. The results of
containing six items [32]. To obtain the psychological Levin test to examine the homogeneity of variance of
capital score, first each subscale is obtained separately and dependent variables in groups showed that the variance of
then their sum is considered as the total psychological hope (F=0.03, P=0.845), optimism (F=0.34, P=0.560),
capital score. The range of scores for each subscale is resilience (F=1.11, P=0.301), self-efficacy (F=1.80, P=0.191),
between 6 and 30. The higher the score in this cognitive reappraisal (F=4.03, P=0.054) and expressive
questionnaire, the higher the psychological capital. By suppression (F=2.04, P=0.164) were equal in the groups. The
using factor analysis and structural equations, Luthans et al. results of the box test to evaluate the equality of the
[32] reported the chi-square ratio of this test as 22.6 and covariance matrix of dependent variables between the
CFI and RMSEA statistics of this model as 0.97 and 0.80, experimental and control groups also showed that the
which confirmed the factor validity of the test. In Iran, covariance matrix of the dependent variables is equal (Box
studies reported the reliability of this questionnaire as 0.85 M= 28.58, F=1.04, P=0.407). The significance of the box test
[33]. In this study, Cronbach's alpha coefficient of total is greater than 0.05, so this assumption is valid. Also, the
score and subscale of hope, optimism, resilience and self- results of the bartlett test to examine the sphericity or
efficacy were 0.88, 0.82, 0.79, 0.86 and 0.80, respectively. significance of the relationship between psychological capital
Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ): This and emotion regulation showed that the relationship
questionnaire was developed by Gross and John in 2003 to between them is significant (χ2=72.01, df=20, P<0.05).
measure emotion regulation strategies. It includes two Another important assumption of multivariate analysis of
subscales of cognitive reappraisal (6 items) and expressive covariance is the homogeneity of regression coefficients. It
suppression (4 items). Participants answer on a 7-point should be noted that the homogeneity test of regression
Likert scale from 1 to 7. In Gross and John's study, the coefficients was examined through the interaction of
internal correlation was 0.79 for the cognitive reappraisal dependent variables and independent variables (intervention
subscale and 0.73 for the expressive suppression subscale. method) in the pre-test and post-test. The interaction of
Also, the total internal validity of this scale was 0.73 and its these pre-tests and post-tests with the independent variable
retest reliability was 0.69, which indicates the acceptable was not significant and indicated the homogeneity of
reliability of this scale [34]. In Iran, the addiction of this scale regression slope. Therefore, this assumption also holds. Due
using Cronbach's alpha was reported to be 0.79. The to the establishment of multivariate analysis of covariance,
correlation coefficients of the score of each item with the the use of this test will be allowed. Then, to find out the
total score of the scale were between 0.51 to 0.68 [35]. In differences between the groups, a multivariate analysis of
the present study, Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the covariance was performed.

Int J Behav Sci Vol.16, No.2, Summer 2022 98

Bagheri-Sheykhangafshe et al.

Table 1. Summary of Sessions Based on Acceptance and Commitment Treatment [36]

Change expected
Session Target Topic
behavior
Familiarity of members with each other and the
Familiarity with group rules and Learning about
therapist, group rules, goals and group structure,
1 generalities of acceptance and acceptance and
therapeutic commitments, introductory talks about
commitment commitment
acceptance and commitment
Assessing clients' problems from the perspective of
Familiarity with some of the therapeutic
acceptance and commitment therapy, extracting
concepts of acceptance and commitment Not trying to avoid
2 experience, avoidance, mixing and values of the
including the experience of avoidance, negative emotions
individual, making a list of advantages,
fusion and psychological acceptance
disadvantages and practices problem control
Implement acceptance and commitment
Specify inefficiency, control negative events usingAccepting negative
therapy techniques such as separation
3 metaphors, cognitive separation training,behaviors and
cognitive, psychological awareness, self-
psychological awareness and self-visualization emotions
embodiment
Separating evaluations from personal experiences
Teaching therapy techniques, emotionaland taking a position of observing thoughts withoutPaying attention to
4 awareness, awareness judgment current experiences
wisely (metaphor of your victim) so as to lead to mental flexibility and positivemoment by moment
emotions
Accepting negative
Teach your healing techniques as aConnect with the present and consider yourself as a
emotions and
background and practice field and teach the techniques of the mind
5 thoughts without
mindfulness techniques and distressawareness and tolerance of anxiety in order to
prejudice and
tolerance training accept negative emotions
judgment
Teaching therapeutic techniques of
Identifying the life values of clients and measuring
personal and clear values - Striving for
values based on their importance, preparing a list of
6 creating values and teaching emotion psychological
obstacles in the realization of values and creating
regulation (metaphor flexibility
positive emotions
bad cup)
Teaching techniques of personal values
Provide practical solutions to overcome obstacles
and practicing
while using metaphors and planning for aGaining psychological
7 commitment and increasing
commitment to pursue values and create a sense offlexibility
interpersonal efficiency (metaphor
meaning in life
chess board)
Getting rid of
A report on the steps of pursuing values, asking
Review and practice therapeutic emotions and
clients to explain the results of the sessions and
techniques taught with negative thoughts
8 applying the techniques taught in the real world of
emphasis on regulating emotions and a and gaining
life in order to create a sense of meaning and create
sense of meaning in real life psychological
positive emotions
flexibility

Table 2. Descriptive Indices of Study’s Variables in Control and Experimental Groups

Variables Groups Mean SD S-W P
Experimental 21.13 3.22 0.14 0.063
Pretest
Control 21.53 47.4 0.12 0.057
Hope
Experimental 25.13 2.41 0.14 0.088
Posttest
Control 21.86 4.01 0.11 0.107
Experimental 19.73 2.18 0.14 0.109
Pretest
Control 19.46 2.94 0.17 0.063
Optimism
Experimental 23.60 1.68 0.10 0.074
Posttest
Control 19.86 2.61 0.11 0.107
Experimental 18.20 1.52 0.17 0.052
Pretest
Control 18.53 1.76 0.10 0.074
Resilience
Experimental 22.86 1.80 0.15 0.108
Posttest
Control 18.93 1.62 0.10 0.068
Experimental 21.14 2.99 0.18 0.083
Pretest
Control 21.53 4.45 0.09 0.107
Efficacy
Experimental 24.40 2.47 0.16 0.083
Posttest
Control 21.06 4.51 0.07 0.163
Experimental 28.80 3.01 0.09 0.058
Pretest
Control 28.33 3.14 0.16 0.106
Cognitive reappraisal
Experimental 32.46 2.85 0.07 0.174
Posttest
Control 28/60 2.38 0.10 0.120
Experimental 16/67 1.95 0.16 0.065
Pretest
Control 16.73 3.01 0.06 0.052
Expressive suppression
Experimental 19.86 2.35 0.07 0.163
Posttest
Control 16.20 2.36 0.10 0.087

99 International Journal of Behavioral Sciences Vol.16, No.2, Summer 2022

 ACT on Psychological Capital and Emotion Regulation of Students with Suicidal Ideation

The results of multivariate analysis of covariance on According to the contents of Table 3, F-statistic is
mean post-test showed the effect of the significant for hope (137.39), optimism (61.60), resilience
independent variable on the dependent variables. (47.09), self-efficacy (55.38), cognitive reappraisal (31.28)
In other words, experimental and control groups and expressive suppression (117.33) at the level of 0.001.
have a significant difference in at least one of the These findings indicate that there is a significant
variables of psychological capital and emotion difference between the groups in these variables. Also,
regulation, which according to the calculated effect according to the calculated effect size, 86% of hope, 73%
size, 95% of the total variance of experimental and of optimism, 68% of resilience, 71% of self-efficacy, 58%
control groups is due to the effect of the of cognitive reappraisal and 84% of expressive
independent variable. Also, the statistical power of suppression were independent of the effect of the
the test is equal to 1, which indicates the adequacy variable. As a result, it can be stated that acceptance and
of the sample size. However, to determine in which commitment therapy significantly increases hope,
areas the difference is significant, a univariate optimism, resilience, self-efficacy, cognitive reappraisal
analysis of covariance test was used in MANCOVA and expressive suppression in students with suicidal
text, the results of which are reported in Table 3. ideation.

Table 3. Results of Univariate Analysis of Covariance on the Mean of Post-Test Scores of Dependent Variables in Two Experimental and
Control Groups
Variables SS SS Error DF MS MS Error F P Effect Value
Hope 86.70 13.88 1 86.70 0.63 137.39 0.001 0.86
Optimism 81.49 29.09 1 81.49 1.32 61.60 0.001 0.73
Resilience 112.05 52.34 1 112.05 2.37 47.09 0.001 0.68
Efficacy 91.29 36.26 1 91.29 1.64 55.38 0.001 0.71
Cognitive reappraisal 75.28 52.93 1 75.28 2.40 31.28 0.001 0.58
Expressive suppression 97.08 18.20 1 97./08 0.82 117.33 0.001 0.84

Discussion Acceptance and commitment therapy by using cognitive

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of failure exercises, increasing mindfulness and acceptance
acceptance and commitment therapy on psychological causes the person to be separated from the content of
capital and emotion regulation of students with suicidal dysfunctional thoughts related to inefficiency and
ideation. The results of the present study showed that improving self-efficacy causes the person to be more
after receiving the treatment of acceptance and flexible with the disease and also increases self-care
commitment, the experimental group had higher behaviors [15]. Some young people lose their life
resilience, optimism, hope and self-efficacy, which expectancy and optimism due to the problems created. In
reduced suicidal ideation in students. These results are the treatment of acceptance and commitment, a sense of
consistent with previous studies [7, 14, 15, 37, 38, 39]. judgment and balance of consciousness was taught, which
Psychological capital is one of the psychological helps to clearly see and accept emotions and physical
indicators of positivism, which is characterized by the phenomena as they occur [9]. Hope can also play an
belief in one's ability to achieve success, perseverance in important role in adaptation as a dynamic and powerful
pursuing goals, creating positive self-image and enduring factor. Applying acceptance and commitment therapy
problems [14]. People with higher psychological capital seems to make people accept their thoughts and feelings
are better able to cope with life's problems. Having and be committed to the changes that have taken place.
psychological capital enables people to be less stressed in People were trained to focus on increasing their
addition to better coping with stressful situations, to have psychological awareness, re-measuring their strengths, and
high power in the face of problems, to have a clear view trying to make good judgments about their problems [12].
of themselves and to be less affected by everyday events. The acceptance and commitment approach, instead of
People have higher mental health and cope better with focusing on eliminating harmful worlds, helps clients accept
life problems [10]. Some studies have shown that their controlled emotions and cognitions and allows them
psychological capital in people with suicidal thoughts and to let go of conflict with them [13]. On the other hand, in
behaviors is low [8]. In this way, Feng et al. [37] in a study treating acceptance and commitment by teaching
examined the role of stress, self-efficacy and optimism in emotional control strategies, performing behavioral
predicting suicidal ideation. The results showed that stress commitment exercises, clarifying values, techniques for
was directly related to increased suicidal ideation. In identifying value-based behaviors with metaphorical
contrast, self-efficacy and optimism were able to reduce expression, failure and acceptance have all been effective in
stress and suicidal ideation. In another study, Clement et increasing resilience [39].
al. [38] examined the association of grit, hope, and On the other hand, the findings showed that acceptance
optimism with suicidal ideation. Based on the results, it and commitment therapy significantly increased emotion
was found that people who had high grit, hope and regulation (cognitive reappraisal and expressive
optimism were less likely to think about suicide and had suppression) in students with suicidal ideation. These
good mental health. results are in line with previous research [19, 20, 22, 23].

Int J Behav Sci Vol.16, No.2, Summer 2022 100

Bagheri-Sheykhangafshe et al.

Emotion regulation represents the range of processes cognitive flexibility, and maintain high mental health.
through which individuals can change the nature, Instead of changing one's cognitions, acceptance and
fluctuation, and duration of emotions that are appropriate commitment therapy tries to increase one's psychological
for understanding emotional disorders [18]. People with connection with one's thoughts and emotions. This makes
these disorders tend to experience their negative people less frustrated, depressed, and anxious, resulting
emotions uncontrollably and often lack the skills to in fewer suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
manage and regulate these intense emotional
experiences, which increases physiological arousal and Conflict of Interest
decreases self-control [21]. When a person feels that she The authors of this study state that they have no conflicts
or he has no control over life events, he or she becomes of interest.
depressed, and this shows that using the acceptance
strategy cannot always lead to positive consequences. Ethical Approval
However, it must be said that a certain type of acceptance The ethical principles in writing the article have been
that is not accompanied by cognition leads to emotional observed according to the instructions of the National
disorders and as a result, ideation becomes suicidal [20]. Ethics Committee and the COPE regulations.
People with high levels of emotion regulation can control
their anger, have good resilience, and make less Acknowledgment
emotional decisions [23]. According to studies, depression The authors consider it necessary to thank all the students
and anxiety significantly increase suicidal thoughts and and individuals who participated in this research.
behaviors in people [7].
In this regard, Brausch et al. [19)] in a study examined the References
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