A Component-Based Analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Affective Regulation in Individuals With Diabetes

Background and aims: Diabetes is a chronic condition often linked to emotional distress, negatively affecting disease management and quality of life. This study examined the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in improving affective control among individuals with diabetes. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up was employed, involving women aged 30–50 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) registered with the Ahvaz Diabetes Association in 2023. Thirty participants were recruited and assigned to either an intervention group (n=15) receiving eight weekly 90-minute ACT sessions or a control group (n=15) with no intervention. Outcomes were measured using the Affective Control Scale and analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: ACT significantly reduced negative affect (anger, depression, anxiety) and enhanced positive affect in women with T2DM (P<0.001). The control group showed no significant changes in negative (pre: 110.33±13.56; post: 113.53±12.90; follow-up: 115.21±13.25; P= 0.167) or positive affect (pre: 28.46±8.06; post: 27.20±7.71; follow-up: 25.73±7.36; P=0.143). In contrast, the ACT group displayed significant reductions in negative affect (pre: 109.26±9.22; post: 86.40±8.60; follow-up: 91.33±13.56; P=0.001) and increases in positive affect (pre: 26.60±3.94; post: 34.60±3.99; follow-up: 33.60 ± 3.86; P=0.001), with significant between-group differences post-intervention and at follow-up (P =0.001). Conclusion: ACT effectively enhances emotional well-being in individuals with diabetes by reducing negative emotions and increasing positive ones, supporting its use in managing emotional challenges associated with chronic health conditions.