Domestic ViolenceNCT07840664
Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Counseling in Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
A study testing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in people with Domestic Violence, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial was to determine the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles in women with a history of intimate partner violence. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Domestic Violence
- What is being tested?
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Oct 2023to 29 Jan 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Being over 18 years of age
- Being literate
- Having a history of spousal violence
- Being followed for anxiety problems related to a history of spousal violence
- Being willing to cooperate and communicate
- Agreeing to fully participate in the 6-week counseling period
Who cannot join
- Having a previously diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Currently receiving another form of psychotherapy
- Having cognitive impairment
- Having a comorbid mental disorder
- Using a language other than Turkish
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-Based Counseling on Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Psychological Flexibility, and Decision-Making Styles in Women Seeking Psychiatric Help With a History of Intimate Partner Violence
The goal of this clinical trial was to determine the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles in women with a history of intimate partner violence.
The study included women who sought care at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of a state hospital, had a history of intimate partner violence, met the eligibility criteria, and volunteered to participate. A total of 60 women were assigned to the experimental group (n=30) or control group (n=30) using stratified block randomization.
Read more
Data were collected using an Individual Information Form, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form, the Psychological Flexibility Scale, and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire. Data were collected from both groups at two time points, as pre-test and post-test assessments, between October 2023 and January 2024.
Following the pre-test assessments, participants in the experimental group received six sessions of ACT-based counseling, while participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. After completion of the intervention, post-test assessments were administered to both groups. The study compared the experimental and control groups to evaluate the effects of ACT-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles in women with a history of intimate partner violence who sought psychiatric care.
The study population consisted of women who applied to the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of a state hospital and had a history of intimate partner violence. Women who met the eligibility criteria and volunteered to participate were included in the study. A total of 60 participants were assigned to the experimental group (n=30) or the control group (n=30) using stratified block randomization.
Before the intervention, pre-test data were collected from participants in both groups using the Individual Information Form, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form, the Psychological Flexibility Scale, and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire.
Prior to the intervention, participants in the experimental group attended a brief preparatory meeting for initial introduction, collection of contact information, and scheduling of the first ACT session. This preparatory meeting was not part of the ACT intervention. Participants subsequently received six sessions of ACT-based counseling at intervals of 7-10 days, with each session lasting approximately 30-60 minutes. The first ACT session was conducted individually and face-to-face in an appropriate room at the psychiatry outpatient clinic, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication using FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp.
Participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. After completion of the six ACT-based counseling sessions, post-test assessments were administered to participants in both the experimental and control groups. Data collection was conducted between October 2023 and January 2024.
The experimental and control groups were compared to evaluate changes in emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles following the intervention.
- Conditions
- Domestic Violence
- Being tested
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Keywords
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, domestic violence, women, emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, decision-making styles
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Other
The intervention consisted of six Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling sessions conducted at 7-10-day intervals. Each session lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. The first session was conducted individually and face-to-face, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication. The intervention was designed to address emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group | Experimental | Participants in this arm received an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling intervention consisting of six sessions conducted at 7-10-day intervals. Each session lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. The first session was conducted individually and face-to-face, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication. Receives: Other: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants in this arm received no intervention during the study period and completed the same outcome assessments as the intervention group. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Psychological Flexibility
Psychological flexibility was assessed using the Psychological Flexibility Scale, adapted into Turkish by Karakuş and Akbay (2020). The scale consists of 28 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1-7), yielding a total score ranging from 28 to 196. Higher total scores indicate greater psychological flexibility. The scale was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)
Decision-Making Self-Esteem and Decision-Making Styles
Decision-making self-esteem and decision-making styles were assessed using the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (MDMQ I-II), adapted into Turkish by Deniz (2004). Part I consists of 6 items and assesses decision-making self-esteem, with scores ranging from 0 to 12; higher scores indicate higher decision-making self-esteem. Part II consists of 22 items and assesses four decision-making styles: vigilance (score range: 0-12), buck-passing (0-12), procrastination (0-10), and hypervigilance (0-10). Higher scores on each subscale indicate greater use of the respective decision-making style. The questionnaire was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)
Emotion Regulation Difficulties
Emotion regulation difficulties were assessed using the 16-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF), adapted into Turkish by Yiğit and Guzey Yiğit (2017). Each item is rated on a 5-point scale from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always), yielding a total score ranging from 16 to 80. Higher total scores indicate greater difficulties in emotion regulation. The scale was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Sep 2026
- Study start25 Oct 2023
- Primary completion5 Jan 2024
- Study completion29 Jan 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Domestic ViolenceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ondokuz Mayıs UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were assigned to two parallel groups using stratified block randomization: an intervention group receiving a six-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based intervention and a control group receiving no intervention during the study period. Outcomes were assessed in both groups before and after the intervention.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ondokuz Mayıs University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Eda Gungor, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University
- Investigators
- Eda GUNGOR, MSc, Principal investigator, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07840664
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- OMU-GUNGOR-001
- Other IDs
- BAP04-B-2024-5163
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 25 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be publicly shared due to the sensitive nature of the study population and the need to protect participant confidentiality and privacy.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-Based Counseling on Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Psychological Flexibility, and Decision-Making Styles in Women Seeking Psychiatric Help With a History of Intimate Partner Violence
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07840664
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- OMU-GUNGOR-001
- Conditions
- Domestic Violence
- Keywords
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, domestic violence, women, emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, decision-making styles
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ondokuz Mayıs UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Jan 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 Jan 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial was to determine the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles in women with a history of intimate partner violence.
The study included women who sought care at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of a state hospital, had a history of intimate partner violence, met the eligibility criteria, and volunteered to participate. A total of 60 women were assigned to the experimental group (n=30) or control group (n=30) using stratified block randomization.
Data were collected using an Individual Information Form, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form, the Psychological Flexibility Scale, and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire. Data were collected from both groups at two time points, as pre-test and post-test assessments, between October 2023 and January 2024.
Following the pre-test assessments, participants in the experimental group received six sessions of ACT-based counseling, while participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. After completion of the intervention, post-test assessments were administered to both groups. The study compared the experimental and control groups to evaluate the effects of ACT-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling on emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles in women with a history of intimate partner violence who sought psychiatric care.
The study population consisted of women who applied to the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of a state hospital and had a history of intimate partner violence. Women who met the eligibility criteria and volunteered to participate were included in the study. A total of 60 participants were assigned to the experimental group (n=30) or the control group (n=30) using stratified block randomization.
Before the intervention, pre-test data were collected from participants in both groups using the Individual Information Form, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form, the Psychological Flexibility Scale, and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire.
Prior to the intervention, participants in the experimental group attended a brief preparatory meeting for initial introduction, collection of contact information, and scheduling of the first ACT session. This preparatory meeting was not part of the ACT intervention. Participants subsequently received six sessions of ACT-based counseling at intervals of 7-10 days, with each session lasting approximately 30-60 minutes. The first ACT session was conducted individually and face-to-face in an appropriate room at the psychiatry outpatient clinic, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication using FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp.
Participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. After completion of the six ACT-based counseling sessions, post-test assessments were administered to participants in both the experimental and control groups. Data collection was conducted between October 2023 and January 2024.
The experimental and control groups were compared to evaluate changes in emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles following the intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were assigned to two parallel groups using stratified block randomization: an intervention group receiving a six-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based intervention and a control group receiving no intervention during the study period. Outcomes were assessed in both groups before and after the intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group | Experimental | Other: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Participants in this arm received an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling intervention consisting of six sessions conducted at 7-10-day intervals. Each session lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. The first session was conducted individually and face-to-face, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants in this arm received no intervention during the study period and completed the same outcome assessments as the intervention group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Being over 18 years of age
- Being literate
- Having a history of spousal violence
- Being followed for anxiety problems related to a history of spousal violence
- Being willing to cooperate and communicate
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Having a previously diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Currently receiving another form of psychotherapy
- Having cognitive impairment
- Having a comorbid mental disorder
- Using a language other than Turkish
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)The intervention consisted of six Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based counseling sessions conducted at 7-10-day intervals. Each session lasted approximately 30-60 minutes. The first session was conducted individually and face-to-face, while the remaining five sessions were conducted online via video communication. The intervention was designed to address emotion regulation difficulties, psychological flexibility, and decision-making styles. | Other | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group |
Primary outcome
Psychological Flexibility
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)
Psychological flexibility was assessed using the Psychological Flexibility Scale, adapted into Turkish by Karakuş and Akbay (2020). The scale consists of 28 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1-7), yielding a total score ranging from 28 to 196. Higher total scores indicate greater psychological flexibility. The scale was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.
Decision-Making Self-Esteem and Decision-Making Styles
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)
Decision-making self-esteem and decision-making styles were assessed using the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (MDMQ I-II), adapted into Turkish by Deniz (2004). Part I consists of 6 items and assesses decision-making self-esteem, with scores ranging from 0 to 12; higher scores indicate higher decision-making self-esteem. Part II consists of 22 items and assesses four decision-making styles: vigilance (score range: 0-12), buck-passing (0-12), procrastination (0-10), and hypervigilance (0-10). Higher scores on each subscale indicate greater use of the respective decision-making style. The questionnaire was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.
Emotion Regulation Difficulties
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)
Emotion regulation difficulties were assessed using the 16-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF), adapted into Turkish by Yiğit and Guzey Yiğit (2017). Each item is rated on a 5-point scale from 1 (almost never) to 5 (almost always), yielding a total score ranging from 16 to 80. Higher total scores indicate greater difficulties in emotion regulation. The scale was administered to participants in both the intervention and control groups at baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be publicly shared due to the sensitive nature of the study population and the need to protect participant confidentiality and privacy.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Eda GUNGOR, MSc principal investigator
Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in people with Domestic Violence, run by Ondokuz Mayıs University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Psychological Flexibility (time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention (1 session per week for 6 weeks)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Sep 2026.