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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy delivered in the workplace – Effects of a 5-week training program on corporate employees’ psychological flexibility

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction A growing body of research has demonstrated the positive effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) delivered in the workplace on employees’ well-being and psychological flexibility. Delivering ACT in the workplace aims to enhance employee performance and reduce stress levels by promoting psychological flexibility, a skill to consciously live in the present, observing thoughts and emotions, and engaging in value-driven actions. Objectives The short-term effects of a 5-week ACT-based psychological flexibility training program were tested. Methods Participants were 21 corporate employees (62 % women, Mage = 43.9 years, SD = 9.5) recruited from a large company in the financial sector. The six core processes of psychological flexibility were examined before the first training session and after the fifth training session of the 5-week training. Psychological flexibility, value-driven living, thought suppression, five facets of mindfulness and cognitive fusion were assessed. Results Results showed a statistically significant difference in one core process of psychological flexibility, namely Contact with the present moment.Acting with awareness, Describing and Nonjudge showed significant difference before and after the training. Presumably, changes in Cognitive defusion and Non-reactivity are also evident, however results did not show significant difference. Conclusions The present research has provided further empirical evidence for the effectiveness of ACT-based psychological flexibility training with regard to three aspects of Contact with the present moment, which is a core process of psychological flexibility (Acting with awareness, Describing, and Nonjudge). The findings provide a basis for future research to investigate longer-term effects, including monitoring how participants in the research program practice the learnt techniques in their everyday lives. Disclosure of Interest Á. Magyary Grant / Research support from: ÁM was supported by the ÚNKP-23-2 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund., Z. Demetrovics: None Declared, Á. Zsila: None Declared, N. Mészáros: None Declared

Source: European Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.2005

Authors: Á. K. Magyary, Z. Demetrovics, Á. Zsila, N. Z. Mészáros

Institutions: Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Flinders University, University of Gibraltar

Language: English

Topic: Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,300