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A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Body Image Dissatisfaction and Weight Self-Stigma in Adults

Griffiths, Catrin; Williamson, Heidi; Zucchelli, Fabio; Paraskeva, Nicole; Moss, Tim

A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Body Image Dissatisfaction and Weight Self-Stigma in Adults Thumbnail


Authors

Catrin Griffiths Catrin.Griffiths@uwe.ac.uk
Occasional Associate Lecturer - HAS HSS

Heidi Williamson Heidi3.Williamson@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Applied Health Research

Tim Moss Tim.Moss@uwe.ac.uk
Director of PGR Studies and Associate Professor



Abstract

© 2018, The Author(s). Body image dissatisfaction (BID) and weight self-stigma are prevalent and associated with physical and psychological ill-health. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is increasingly employed for both, yet little is known about its effectiveness. Searches of 12 databases identified six studies using online, face-to-face or self-help ACT interventions for BID or weight self-stigma, of varying duration and intensity. Their effectiveness and quality were evaluated. Two reported improved BID, three improved weight self-stigma, and one reported no impact on weight self-stigma. Methodological issues (small sample sizes, lack of allocation concealment, attention control and long-term follow up) impacted the validity of findings. Due to the small number of studies and poor study quality, the effectiveness of ACT for BID and weight self-stigma remains unclear. Nonetheless findings suggest psychological flexibility may facilitate reduction in BID and weight self-stigma and indicate that brief online as well as lengthy face-to-face delivery may be useful. Suggestions for further research are made.

Citation

Griffiths, C., Williamson, H., Zucchelli, F., Paraskeva, N., & Moss, T. (2018). A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Body Image Dissatisfaction and Weight Self-Stigma in Adults. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 48(4), 189-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-018-9384-0

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 21, 2018
Online Publication Date Feb 21, 2018
Publication Date Dec 1, 2018
Deposit Date Mar 1, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy
Print ISSN 0022-0116
Electronic ISSN 1573-3564
Publisher Springer (part of Springer Nature)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 48
Issue 4
Pages 189-204
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-018-9384-0
Keywords Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT, body image, weight self-stigma, adults
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/855231
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-018-9384-0
Additional Information Additional Information : The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-018-9384-0