Acceptance and Commitment Therapy- Based Counseling Among Family Members of Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based online counseling program on beliefs about mental illness, selfstigma, and psychological flexibility among family members of individuals with schizophrenia. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 50 family members, divided into experimental and control groups. The ACT-based counseling program comprised six weekly sessions delivered online. Data were collected using the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale, Self-Stigmatization for Families Scale, and Psychological Flexibility Scale through pre- and posttest measurements. RESULTS:The ACT-based online counseling program significantly improved family members' beliefs about mental illness, reduced self-stigma, and enhanced psychological flexibility (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Nurses should be trained in ACT to effectively support family members of individuals with mental illness. Tailored ACT interventions have the potential to strengthen families' coping mechanisms and improve their mental health outcomes.