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

In 30 seconds

This randomized controlled trial evaluated 8 weeks of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based group psychoeducation among earthquake survivors living in container cities in southeastern Türkiye. Of 80 participants initially assigned to intervention or no-intervention control groups, 10 later withdrew. Compared with controls, the intervention group had significantly higher resilience and hope and lower post-traumatic stress symptoms after treatment and at 3-month follow-up (p < 0.05). Improvements were maintained at follow-up, although resilience declined from post-treatment; it remained above baseline. PTSD symptoms continued to decrease significantly during follow-up (p < 0.001).

Key findings

• At post-test and 3-month follow-up, resilience and hope were higher and PTSD symptoms lower in the intervention group than in controls (p < 0.05).
• Hope levels remained stable between post-test and follow-up (p > 0.05).
• PTSD symptoms continued to decrease at follow-up (p < 0.001).
• Resilience declined from post-test to follow-up (p < 0.001), but remained significantly above baseline (p < 0.001).

Why it matters

Earthquake-related psychological distress can include reduced hope and resilience as well as post-traumatic stress symptoms. This trial suggests that structured ACT-based group psychoeducation may improve these outcomes in survivors, with benefits observed through 3 months. The findings add evidence about a psychosocial intervention in a disaster-affected population, while the differing follow-up patterns across outcomes underscore the value of monitoring them separately.

What to keep in mind

Ten participants withdrew after the initial 80 were assigned, and follow-up was limited to 3 months. The abstract does not report effect sizes, limiting assessment of the magnitude of benefit.