Background
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a third generation behavioral therapy, is directed to increase psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility can be defined as the ability to stay in contact with the present moment regardless of unpleasant thought and feelings, while choosing behavior that is based on personal values. ACT has previously been shown to increase wellbeing and decrease various symptoms of psychopathology, but has not yet been applied in the elderly population.
Hypotheses/Research Questions
This study aims to investigate whether psychological flexibility is associated with (emotional, psychological and social) wellbeing in the elderly population. We further explore the associations between the underlying processes of psychological flexibility and (dimensions of) wellbeing.
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size
319 participants completed the first measurement (T1) varying in age between 50 and 93 years old (mean age: 61.3, SD: 7.7). Of this group 202 participants also completed the second measurement (T2) (mean age: 61.3, SD: 7.5).
Design
An online survey study was performed in the Dutch general population of 50 years and older with 2 measurements, one month apart. The following measures were obtained: demographical characteristics, psychological flexibility (FIT60) at T1 and wellbeing (MHC-SF) at T2.
Results
Regression analyses show that psychological flexibility is positively associated with general wellbeing and the sub-dimensions emotional, psychological and social wellbeing at T2. Explorative analyses show that the core process Acceptance is positively associated with general and social wellbeing. The core process Values is positively associated with emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Scientific Contribution
Our findings support the assumption that psychological flexibility may be an important factor contributing to positive aging. Both the acceptance and the commitment part of ACT seem to be important in relation to wellbeing. Future ACT intervention studies in the aging population can further increase knowledge in this new research area.