This clinical study investigates the effectiveness of two psychological treatment formats for young people aged 16-25 with symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, or interpersonal difficulties. The study compares group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with treatment as usual (TAU), most frequent that would be individual psychotherapy, both of which are established treatment approaches.
The study uses a randomized controlled design (RCT), in which participants are randomly assigned to one of the two treatment conditions. This allows for a systematic comparison of treatment outcomes between ACT delivered in a group format and standard individual therapy.
The ACT group intervention consists of a structured program in which participants meet regularly over a defined treatment period. The treatment focuses on processes such as psychological flexibility, acceptance of internal experiences, and engagement in actions aligned with personal values.
The individual therapy condition consists of one-to-one sessions with a clinician, following standard therapeutic practice. Treatment content and duration are tailored to the participant's clinical presentation and therapeutic needs.
Outcome measures include standardized assessments of mental health symptoms, functioning, and psychological processes. These assessments are conducted at baseline, during the treatment period, at post-treatment, and at follow-up time points. Data collected from these measures will be used to evaluate changes over time and differences between the two treatment conditions.
The primary aim of the study is to determine whether group-based ACT is as effective as, or more effective than, individual psychotherapy for young people receiving mental health services. The results are expected to contribute to improved knowledge about treatment options for this age group and inform future clinical practice.
Score on DASS-21 depression scale ≤ 14
Psychosis
Parallel
Group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Other interventionGroup-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) consists of a structured, manualized group intervention delivered according to established ACT principles and tailored for young people. The intervention is provided in a group format within specialized mental health services and focuses on enhancing psychological flexibility through core ACT processes. Treatment is delivered by trained clinicians, and the group format emphasizes experiential exercises, mindfulness practices, values-based work, and peer interaction. The frequency and duration of sessions follow the study protocol.
TAU
Other interventionTreatment as Usual (TAU) consists of standard mental health care provided according to routine clinical practice within hospital-based specialized mental health services, as well as through municipal health services and student health services when applicable. The type, format (e.g., individual or group-based), frequency, and duration of care are determined by clinical need and may vary between participants.
Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale
Measures depression, anxiety and stress
Hamilton Rating Scale Depression HDRS
Measures level of depression
The Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire PSY-Flex
Questionnaire measuring Psychological Flexibility
The Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV
Diagnostic interview SCID 5 CV
Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE-OM)
Self report about psychological symptoms
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 PCL-5
PCL-5 questionnaire, symptoms of PTSD
The Level of Personality Functioning Scale brief, LPFS-BF2.0
The Level of Personality Functioning Scale brief form, Alternative Model for Personality disorders DSM-5, section iii LPFS-BF2.0 questionnaire. Screening tool for personality disorders
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Sorlandet Hospital HF
Lead sponsor
University of Oslo
Collaborator
Helse Sor-Ost
Collaborator
Karolinska Institutet
Collaborator
Australian Catholic University
Collaborator
