The effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in reducing depression and enhancing social functioning in patients with Major Depression Disorder (MDD)

Introduction
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, significantly impacting individuals' quality of life and social functioning. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in reducing depression and enhancing social functioning in patients with MDD.
Material and Method
This semi-experimental study employed a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The sample consisted of 30 patients with MDD in Karaj, Iran, who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 each). The instruments used included the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ). The experimental group underwent ACT for 8 sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).
Results
The findings indicated that post-intervention, depression scores in the experimental group significantly decreased, and social functioning scores significantly increased (p<0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusion
The results suggest that ACT can effectively reduce depressive symptoms and improve social functioning in patients with MDD. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating innovative therapeutic approaches like ACT in enhancing the mental health and quality of life of individuals with MDD.