Acceptance and Commitment Therapy delivered in the workplace - Effects of a 5-week-long intervention on company employees' psychological flexibility

Aim: A growing body of research has demonstrated the positive effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) delivered in the workplace on employees' well-being and psychological flexibility. Delivering ACT in the workplace aims to enhance employee performance and reduce stress levels by promoting psychological flexibility, a skill to consciously live in the present, observing thoughts and emotions, and engaging in value-driven actions. The short-term effects of a 5-week-long ACT-based psychological flexibility training program were tested.

Methods: A total of 21 corporate employees (62 % women, Mage = 43.9 years, SD = 9.5) from a large company in the financial sector completed study measures prior to and after the training sessions. The six core processes of psychological flexibility were examined. Psychological flexibility, Valued living, Thought suppression, and five facets of Mindfulness and Cognitive fusion were assessed. 

Results: Results showed significant difference in one core process of psychological flexibility (Contact with the present moment). Moreover, Acting with awareness, Describe and Nonjudge showed significant difference before and after the training. 

Conclusion: The present research has provided further empirical evidence for the effectiveness of ACT-based psychological flexibility training with regard to three aspects of Contact with the present moment, which is a core process of psychological flexibility (Acting with awareness, Describe, and Nonjudge). The findings provide a basis for future research to investigate longer-term effects, including monitoring how participants in the research program practice the learnt techniques in their everyday lives.