Existential therapy versus acceptance and commitment therapy for feelings of loneliness and irrational beliefs in male prisoners

Abstract

Today’s people live in a society with many dangers to their peace and security. The effectiveness of different therapies in psychological variables needs to be evaluated to reach the most precise therapies based on research evidence. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of existential therapy (ET) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in alleviating the loneliness and irrational beliefs of male prisoners. In the present quasi-experimental study, the statistical population consisted of all married male prisoners aged between 25 to 45 years in Mashhad Central Prison in the first half of 2017. Among the statistical population, 36 people were selected and then randomly placed in three research groups. The two experimental groups underwent eight separate intervention sessions, ET, and ACT. At the beginning and end of the study, all of the three groups were evaluated by a research questionnaire, including the loneliness scale. The results of data analysis showed that, in comparison with the control group, the changes in the other two groups under ET and ACT were significant as to the feeling of loneliness and irrational beliefs of prisoners. However, there was no significant difference between the effects of these two treatments. The present research was limited in the case of examining the follow-up stage due to lack of access and cooperation of the subjects, incorporating some control variables (such as the history of substance use and psychiatry), and employing other evaluation methods (e.g., interview). It is highly suggested that future research should address these limitations.

Hope and Irrational Beliefs Among Male Prisoners: The Comparative Effectiveness of Existential Therapy (ET) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

“…The results of data analysis showed that, compared to the control group, the impacts of ET and ACT are significant on hope and irrational beliefs in male prisoners (with the greater effectiveness of ET in increasing hope compared to ACT). These findings were consistent with the studies of [15,20]. Concerning an increase in hope by ACT, people are taught to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment as simple mental events.…”

“…It helps people accept their problems to understand their lives better and take responsibility to continue living. If the quality of life is reduced, the person won't take responsibility and blame others that can affect their lives [15]. Furthermore, the results of data analysis showed that there was no difference in the effectiveness of ET and ACT on irrational beliefs.…”

“…One of the characteristics of people with irrational beliefs is cognitive integration occurring when a person considers his thoughts to be correct; many problems arise from focusing on the texture of depressive thoughts [15,26]. Therefore, focusing on the context related to thoughts and feelings that lead to undesirable behaviors was targeted at the subjects, which reduced the participants' credibility and flexibility.…”

“…ET emphasizes the significance of human life according to their viewpoint on life. This approach involves an attitude to life issues, such as freedom, life and death, finding meaning in life, the concept of meaninglessness, and responsibility for oneself and others [13][14][15].…”

“…ACT is partly based on or at least influenced by Eastern mysticism that can be designed in the framework of cognitive approaches and affect the psychological well-being of prisoners [15]. On a larger scale, some of society's values are reflected by prisons.…”