The Effect of ACT ‐Based Psychoeducation on Hope, Resilience and Stress Levels in Individuals Experiencing Earthquake: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: Earthquakes can lead to serious psychological consequences such as reduced resilience, loss of hope, and post-traumatic stress. Effective interventions are needed to support the mental health of survivors. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based psychoeducation in improving resilience and hope, and reducing post-traumatic stress symptoms among earthquake survivors. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 participants (40 intervention, 40 control; 10 participants later withdrew) residing in container cities in southeastern Türkiye. Data were collected using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS), and PTSD Scale (PTSD-S). The intervention group received ACT-based group psychoeducation over 8 weeks; the control group received no intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Pre-test scores showed no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Post-test and 3-month follow-up results indicated significantly higher resilience and hope levels, and lower PTSD symptoms in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Within-group analysis revealed consistent improvements across all variables for the intervention group. In the control group, a slight increase in resilience and a limited reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms were observed. The effects of the intervention were maintained at the 3-month follow-up; while hope levels remained stable (p > 0.05), PTSD symptoms in the intervention group continued to decrease significantly (p < 0.001). Resilience scores showed a decrease from post-test to follow-up (p < 0.001); however, follow-up resilience levels remained significantly higher than baseline levels (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: ACT-based psychoeducation appears effective in promoting psychological resilience and hope while reducing trauma symptoms among disaster-affected individuals. These findings support the use of structured ACT interventions in post-disaster mental health care. İMPLICATIONS: ACT-based psychoeducation can be effectively used by mental health professionals in disaster settings to enhance resilience and hope while reducing PTSD symptoms. Its structured group format makes it a practical and accessible intervention for post-disaster mental health care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06536205.