Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group Intervention on Anxiety Sensitivity, Worry Severity and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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Volume 25 Num. 3

Volume 25 Num. 3 - October 2025

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group Intervention on Anxiety Sensitivity, Worry Severity and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Volume 25 Num. 3 - October 2025 - Pages 309-320

Authors:

Otared, N , Khoshsohbatyazdi, M , Ghalamkari, A

notared@ciu.edu.tr

Abstract:

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in reducing anxiety sensitivity, worry severity, and intolerance of uncertainty in individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Excessive and uncontrollable concern is a hallmark of generalized anxiety disorder which causes severe distress and impairment. Anxiety sensitivity, worry severity, and intolerance of uncertainty are some of the most common cognitive vulnerabilities linked to the onset of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an evidence-based intervention that has been shown effective in treating a wide range of anxiety disorders by improving psychological flexibility. For this study, 30 individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder were selected and randomly assigned to two groups of 15 participants (experimental and control groups). All participants were administrated by validated measures including the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 at three different points in time: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and a three-month follow-up. According to an ANCOVA analysis, the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group indicated a significant decrease in anxiety sensitivity, worry severity, and intolerance of uncertainty variables after treatment (p <.05) in comparison to the control group, and these improvements continued at follow-up phase. The results of this study indicated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an effective treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms. The findings suggest that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be a viable alternative to traditional psychotherapy approaches.

How to cite this paper:

Otared N, Khoshsohbatyazdi M, & Ghalamkari A (2025). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group Intervention on Anxiety Sensitivity, Worry Severity and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 25, 3, 309-320.

Key words:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, generalized anxiety disorder, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, worry severity

Full Article

English (PDF)

International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy

Volume 25 Num. 3 - October 2025