The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on identity crisis and distress tolerance in mothers of children with cancer

BACKGROUND: Examining the psychological factors related to the disease and their treatment can be important. The present study was carried out with the aim of the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on identity crisis and distress tolerance in the mothers of children with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population included all mothers of children with cancer who were referred to Sheikh Mashhad Hospital in 2021. The sample consisted of 30 people who were selected by purposive sampling and were randomly replaced in two groups of experimental and control (equally 15 people in each group). The experimental group underwent ACT, and the control group did not receive any therapy. The identity crisis questionnaire of Rajaei et al. and the distress tolerance scale of Sevens and Gaher were used. Data were analyzed through SPSS 21 software and the analysis of covariance. RESULTS: The results revealed that the effect of therapeutic intervention on identity crisis (F = 53.601, P < 0.05) as well as distress tolerance is significant (F = 181.34, P < 0.05). In addition, the effect was stable in the follow-up period (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results, it can be stated that ACT can reduce the identity crisis and increase the level of distress tolerance in the mothers of children with cancer.