Dismantling the Efficacy of Self-As-Context During Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

The six processes within the psychological flexibility model of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are seen as being equally theoretically and clinically important. The utility of self-as-context component however has never been isolated in a dismantling study. The present study therefore sought to conduct a pilot two-arm dismantling component study of ACT, quarantining the self-as-context component from one of the arms. Patients with a long-term health condition (LTC) and concurrent mental health condition were randomised into one of two study arms; (1) Full-ACT or (2) ACT minus self-as-context (ACT-SAC). Participants in each arm were compared with regards to their ability to engage in psychological flexibility and decentering. Clinical outcomes were compared at end of treatment and also at 6-weeks follow-up.