Background and Purpose: Diabetes, as one of the most common chronic diseases in children, not only poses physical challenges but is also associated with psychological consequences such as depression and anxiety. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), focusing on acceptance, mindfulness, and commitment to meaningful changes, has appeared as an innovative method for improving the mental health of chronic patients. This study systematically reviews the effectiveness of ACT in reducing psychological problems in children with diabetes.
Method: Through a systematic review, all selected articles were evaluated by the researchers based on keywords including diabetes, depression, anxiety, stress, psychological distress, children, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in international databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus, from January 2013 to September 2024. 749 articles published in English were reviewed using inclusion criteria and quality assessment based on the PRISMA framework. Finally, nineteen articles were selected after the qualitative evaluation and analyzed to address the research questions.
Results: Among the first 749 articles, nineteen studies involving over 2,500 participants from various countries were reviewed. These studies showed that ACT helps reduce depression, anxiety, and stress while improving blood sugar management, quality of life, and psychological flexibility. Online and group interventions, especially for children and their parents, effectively and positively affect children's quality of life. Combining ACT with positive psychology and mindfulness eased better disease management and improved patient-physician relationships.
Conclusion: ACT, as a comprehensive and flexible approach, expands the boundaries of traditional psychological treatments. By integrating mindfulness, acceptance, and commitment principles, this method not only reduces stress and distress associated with diabetes but also provides a foundation for more effective patient-physician interactions, improved quality of life, and enhanced self-management of the disease. |
