CompletedNot Applicable

The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Dysfunctional Attitudes and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Among University Students in Malaysia

Malaysia32 participantsStarted 2025-02-10

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can reduce dysfunctional attitudes and difficulties in emotion regulation among university students in Malaysia.The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will participants who receive ACT show statistically significant reduction in dysfunctional attitudes scores compared to those in the control group? * Will participants who receive ACT show statistically significant reduction in difficulties in emotion regulation scores compared to those in the control group? * Will participants who receive ACT show statistically significant reduction in dysfunctional attitudes scores from pre-test to intermediate-test and from pre-test to post-test? * Will participants who receive ACT show statistically significant reduction in difficulties in emotion regulation scores from pre-test to intermediate test and from pre-test to post-test? Researchers will compare ACT group to a waitlist control group to see if ACT work to reduce dysfunctional attitudes and difficulties in emotion regulation. Participants in the ACT group will * attend six weekly individual sessions of ACT intervention (1 hour per session) conducted online * complete the outcome measures at three different time points (week 1, week 3, and week 6) Meanwhile, participants in the waitlist control group * will not receive any intervention during the data collection period * will be asked to complete same outcome measures at three different time points (week 1, week 3, and week 6)

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 32 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Malaysian citizens * currently enrolled as a university student * be proficient in both Malay and English languages * aged between 18 and 32 years old * reported mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and/or stress levels according to the DASS-21 Exclusion Criteria: * reported severe depression, anxiety, and/or stress on the DASS-21 * expected to graduate before study ends * had been diagnosed with any psychological disorder prior to the study * were currently receiving psychotherapeutic medication and/or psychological interventions.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6

Dysfunctional Attitudes

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07256093

SponsorUniversiti Sains Malaysia

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-03-20

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