An intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy for people experiencing work- or career-related difficulties: A randomized controlled trial.

Authors

Maryse Damecour, Marina M Doucerain, Lise Lachance, Simon Grégoire

Published in

Journal of counseling psychology. Oct 29, 2026. Epub Oct 29, 2026.

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of a group intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy designed for people facing work- or career-related difficulties (e.g., job loss, burnout). Participants were recruited with the assistance of community organizations providing career counseling services, and they were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 82) or a waitlist group (n = 82). They completed questionnaires aimed at measuring process (i.e., psychological flexibility and inflexibility) and outcome variables (i.e., psychological well-being, psychological distress, meaning in life, and career engagement) on three occasions (baseline, postintervention, and follow-up). Participants took part in seven 2.5-hr sessions offered online during a 7-week period. Results of mixed-effects models on intention-to-treat data showed that the intervention led to an increase in psychological flexibility (d = .64), well-being (d = .32), and meaning in life (d = .42) and a decrease in psychological inflexibility (d = -.51) and distress (d = -.36). These effects were maintained at follow-up (17 weeks later), moderated by participants' initial levels of distress and precarity (for some outcomes). Indirect effect analyses showed that changes in psychological flexibility/inflexibility statistically accounted for these effects. The intervention had no significant effect on career engagement. Overall, this trial suggests that the intervention helped promote well-being and flourishing among people struggling with work- or career-related difficulties. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:
42956238
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 30 Oct 2026.

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