Single session intervention using acceptance and commitment therapy for binge eating: a components analysis in a community sample

The aim of this ultra-brief single session intervention study was to run targeted Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions and test whether these interventions reduce eating related difficulties and improve emotion regulation and psychological flexibility. Three interventions were compared using an open trial methodology. Participants (n=39) were volunteers over 18, did not have a current eating disorder diagnosis, and identified as repeat dieters who engaged in any form of dysregulated eating (such as overeating, emotional eating and binge eating). Each participant took part in one of three different ACT interventions (Wake up, Open up, and Step up) delivered by a trainee counselling psychologist for 45 minutes, via zoom in groups of 2-8. Participants completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES), The Emotion Regulation Skills Questionnaire (ERSQ) and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight (AAQ-W) prior to the intervention and 1 month later. All interventions demonstrated significant improvement between baseline and follow up in binge eating (F (1, 36) = 13.66, p = 0.001, partial η2 = 0.27) and psychological flexibility F (1, 34) = 13.74, p = 0.001, partial η2 = 0.29) but not emotional regulation skill F (1, 36) = 3.20, p = 0.08, partial η2 = 0.08). No difference was observed between the three different ACT component interventions. Although this study was limited by a lack of randomisation and a control group, it offers preliminary evidence that ultra-brief online interventions are a cost-effective solution to support people who do not meet criteria for statutory services, yet struggle with overeating.

Citation

Cotterill, C. (2025) Single session intervention using acceptance and commitment therapy for binge eating: a components analysis in a community sample. University of Wolverhampton. https://wlv.openrepository.com/handle/2436/626223

Publisher

University of Wolverhampton

URI

https://wlv.openrepository.com/handle/2436/626223

Type

Thesis or dissertation

Language

en

Description

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the award of Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.

Collections

Theses and Dissertations