Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Job-Seeking Stress, Self-Efficacy, Experiential Avoidance, Depression, and Anxiety

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective intervention for stress, self-efficacy, and experiential avoidance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ACT on job-seeking stress, self-efficacy, experiential avoidance, depression, and anxiety. Methods: University students suffering from job-seeking stress were recruited for this study. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (12 students) and a wait-list control group (10 students). The ACT program consisted of six 120-minute sessions conducted twice a week for three weeks. A pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test (4 weeks after the final session) were administered. Results: In the experimental group, positive significant effects were identified for all variables, and these effects were maintained at the time of the follow-up test. In the wait-list control group, a temporary positive effect was identified for job-seeking stress and self-efficacy, but had disappeared by the follow-up test; no changes were identified for the remaining variables. Conclusions: The significance of this study is confirmed that ACT is effective not only stress but also for job-seeking stress and other variables.