RESUMEN POSTERS - ACBS Annual World Conference 13 (Berlín, 2015)

RESUMEN - POSTERS
Wednesday, 15 July - Poster Session #1

1. Emotion regulation processes in couples with infertility, fertile couples and couples
applying for adoption
Primary Topic: Behavioral medicine
Subtopic: Infertility
Ana Galhardo, Instituto Superior Miguel Torga; CINEICC - Faculty of Psychology and
Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra
Marina Cunha, ISMT; CINEICC
Jos Pinto-Gouveia, CINEICC - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University
of Coimbra
Background: Facing infertility is often seen as a physically and psychologically demanding

experience and feelings of defectiveness, inadequacy, inferiority, worthlessness, shame and
guilt are frequently experienced by men and women with infertility. In turn, emotion
regulation can be defined as a set of processes by which we monitor, assess, and change
emotions according to the context of their occurrence. Until recently, coping styles were the
emotion regulation mechanisms that interested researchers the most in the area of infertility.
The current study addresses emotion regulation processes such as psychological
inflexibility/experiential avoidance, self-judgment and self-compassion along with
emotional/detached, rational and avoidant coping styles. Considering that infertility has been
described as an experience that induces stress, in the individual as well as in the couple, the
aim was to explore differences in emotion regulation processes between infertile couples
pursuing medical treatment, fertile couples, and couples who were applying for adoption.
Method: Our sample included 120 fertile couples (FG), 147 couples with an infertility diagnosis
who were pursuing medical treatment for their fertility problem(s) (IG), and 59 couples with
infertility applying for adoption (AG). Participants filled in paper-pencil questionnaires
assessing coping styles, psychological inflexibility/experiential avoidance, self-judgment and
self-compassion. This was a cross-sectional study, using the couple as unit of analysis. Results:
IG couples, and particularly women, tend to use more experiential avoidance and selfjudgment mechanisms and less emotional/detached coping style. When compared to FG
couples, IG and AG couples tend to apply more avoidant coping strategies. AG couples showed
higher self-compassion. Discussion: From a clinical perspective, when working on psychological
difficulties in infertile patients it is important to bear in mind the role of emotion regulation
processes, particularly in women, that may contribute to the increasing of psychological
suffering. These findings suggest that the Mindfulness Based Program for Infertility,
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy may be adequate
approaches for patients dealing with infertility. These contextual cognitive-behavioral
therapies explicitly address emotion regulation skills and may expand the effectiveness of
psychotherapeutic interventions.
2. An examination of psychological flexibility in the context of parental well-being and infant

cognitive and social-emotional functioning
Subtopic: children, development
Anne Brassell, University of Vermont
Jordan Weith, University of Vermont
Karen Fondacaro, University of Vermont
Increasing occurrences of war and political conflict have led to a worldwide growth in the
number of refugees. Currently, there is global need to identify and address the psychosocial
needs of this at-risk population using culturally relevant and accepted methods. Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles allow for the adaptable and idiographic evaluation
and treatment of multi-cultural populations. The current presentation focuses on ACT-based
principles in relation to infant development in the refugee population. Preliminary case studies
demonstrate greater likelihood of poorer attachment and developmental concerns in refugee
infants. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms leading to such outcomes. We
empirically evaluate the association between parental psychological flexibility, parental well
being, and infant cognitive and social-emotional functioning.
3. The role of psychological flexibility in predicting treatment response for a behavioral

parenting program
Primary Topic: Clinical Interventions and Interests

Subtopic: Culture
Anne Brassell, University of Vermont
Justin Parent, University of Vermont
Jessica Clifton, M.A., University of Vermont
Karen Fondacaro, Ph.D., University of Vermont
Refugee parents face unique challenges raising adolescents that are assimilating into
Westernized culture given their past experiences, cultural differences (e.g., views on
adolescent autonomy), and unfamiliarity of parenting practices in their new environment.
These factors may lead to an increase in negative adolescent behavior, psychopathology, and
familial stress. Behavioral parenting programs targeting common adolescent behavior may be
one method of reducing these effects. However, given the unique experiences of refugee
parents, it is important to incorporate culturally-adapted methods to previously established
parenting programs. Psychological flexibility may enhance the effects of parenting training, as
the parent is able to engage with the material and their adolescent despite the challenges they
experience. The current study will present a modified adolescent parenting program designed
for refugee parents rooted in ACT principles. We will examine the association between
parental psychological flexibility in predicting treatment change in parenting style and
adolescent behavior. We predict greater psychological flexibility will be associated with greater
gains in parenting skills and a reduction in adolescent psychopathology.
4. Beyond a physical symptom: The importance of psychosocial factors in Multiple Sclerosis

pain
Subtopic: Chronic pain, Neurological Conditions
Anthony Harrison M.Sc., Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London
Rona Moss-Morris Ph.D., Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London
Background: Pain is a common and unpredictable symptom affecting around 63% of people
with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). Current biomedical treatments demonstrate limited efficacy
and many pwMS experience uncontrollable pain. While a recent systematic review and
qualitative study indicate several psychosocial factors may be associated with outcome, there
is no coherent understanding of how they fit together in MS pain, how they interact with
relevant disease variables and whether relationships differ according to pain subtype. The aim
of this study was to determine whether potentially modifiable psychosocial factors, drawn
from a theory of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pain, explain significant amounts of the variance in
pain severity and interference above and beyond measures of disease severity and pain
subtype. Methods: 612 people with MS (pwMS) experiencing pain completed a UK wide crosssectional survey including brief pain inventory short-form (BPI), hospital anxiety and
depression scale (HADS), chronic pain acceptance questionnaire (CPAQ-8), cognitive fusion
questionnaire (CFQ), pain catastrophizing questionnaire (PCS) Illness perceptions
questionnaire (IPQ-R) and avoidance endurance questionnaire (AEQ). Participants were
recruited from national health service MS clinics, and online through the MS UK Register and
MS Society. Hierarchical regressions determined the relative contribution of disease severity
and psychosocial factors in predicting pain severity and pain interference. Subgroup analyses
explored potential differences between pwMS with neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain.
Results: All psychosocial factors from the MS pain model, including distress, negative illness
perceptions about pain and its consequences, avoidance of social and physical activity, pain
acceptance and cognitive fusion were related to pain outcomes, explaining a further 24% and
30% of the variance in pain severity and pain interference after controlling for demographic
and disease variables. Findings were similar for neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain
subgroups. However, disease factors explained more of the variance in neuropathic pain.
Conclusion: All people in this study reported significant pain and associated disability even
though over 90% were taking pain medication. The psychosocial factors identified as important
in predicting pain severity and, to a greater extent, pain interference are potentially modifiable
and thus may be important treatment targets for both neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain.
How these data were used to guide the development of a self-management intervention for
MS pain will be briefly discussed.
5. Effects of an ACT consistent intervention for insomnia in adults with longstanding pain
Subtopic: chronic pain, insomnia
Rebecca Andersson, lic psychologist, Behavioral Medicine Pain Treatment Service, Karolinska
University Hospital
Jenny Rickardson, lic psychologist, Behavioral Medicine Pain Treatment Service, Karolinska
University Hospital
Marie Kanstrup, Ph. D. student, psychologist
Lie slund, Ph. D. student, psychologist
Rikard K. Wicksell, Ph.D
Background Insomnia is common among patients attending health care due to longstanding
pain and it is related to depression and functional disability (Menefee et al., 2000). However,
insomnia is not necessarily improved in pain rehabilitation suggesting the need to specifically
address sleep problems as part of treatment (Kemani et al., 2015). Few studies evaluating
acceptance and behavioral interventions for insomnia among longstanding pain patients exist.
Aim of the study To investigate the utility of an ACT consistent intervention for insomnia in
adult patients with longstanding pain and insomnia attending tertiary care. Method This pilot
study was conducted as an open trial with pre-post design (N=15). Patients that already have
completed an ACT-based treatment for longstanding, debilitating pain at the Behavioral
Medicine Pain Treatment Service, Karolinska University Hospital, are recruited in this study.
The intervention consists of six group sessions based on CBT/ACT including psychoeducation
on sleep, sleep restriction and stimulus control, valued driven behavior and acceptance
towards unwanted experiences such as pain or daytime fatigue (Dalrymple, Fiorention, Politi &
Posner, 2010). Outcome measures include the following self-report measurements compared
to pre-study reports: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pain Disability Index (PDI), Short Form 12
(SF-12), Actigraph (objective sleep measure), sleep diary assessments, values and goal
assessment. Process measures include Psychological Inflexibiliy in Insomnia Scale (PIIS),
Longstanding Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-8, modified for insomnia (CPAQ-8_I) Results
Preliminary results for fifteen patients will most likely be available for presentation in July 2015
together with a discussion on clinical implications and future research plans. Discussion
Implications of these results will be discussed. More research, including controlled clinical
trials evaluating interventions for insomnia is much needed. Future studies should include
investigating ACT processes of change in sleep treatment.
6. A confirmatory factor analysis of facets of psychological flexibility in a sample of people

seeking treatment for chronic pain
Subtopic: Chronic Pain
Whitney Scott, PhD, King's College London
Lance M. McCracken, PhD, King's College London
Sam Norton, PhD, King's College London
Background: Evidence supports the validity of subprocesses of psychological flexibility in the

context of chronic pain. However, only very limited research has comprehensively tested a
model of psychological flexibility that simultaneously incorporates several of the proposed
subprocesses. Although psychological flexibility is described as a single overarching process,
research has not adequately tested higher-order or general factor models to explain the interrelationships between subprocesses of psychological flexibility among individuals with chronic
pain. Therefore, this study investigated the structure of measures assessing subprocesses of
psychological flexibility among individuals with chronic pain. Method: Five hundred and
seventy-three individuals with chronic pain attending an ACT-based interdisciplinary treatment
completed measures of pain, depression, daily functioning, acceptance, and processes of
psychological flexibility during their pre-treatment assessment. Confirmatory factor analyses
tested competing lower-order, higher-order, and bifactor models to examine the structure of
psychological flexibility process measures. Results: A bifactor model with a general underlying
psychological flexibility factor appeared to be the most appropriate empirical representation
of the relationships between individual item responses on questionnaires assessing
acceptance, defusion, decentering, and committed action. As expected, the general factor was
strongly correlated with measures of social functioning, mental health, and depression.
Discussion: The results will be discussed in terms of their implications for future refinements to
existing measures of psychological flexibility.
7. ACT & psychosis: Theoretical and practical discussion from psychosocial rehabilitation and
recovery experience
Subtopic: PSYCHOSIS
Abraham Alvarez, CRPS Hermanas Hospitalarias

Jose Luis Arroyo, CRPS Hermanas Hospitalarias
Elena Soteras, CRPS Hermanas Hospitalarias
Sara De Rivas, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
First of all an exhaustive review of ACT and psychosis will be presented. From manual and
computerized search, 26 studies with empirical evidence of ACT and psychosis were selected.
Results suggest that ACT decreases rehospitalization rates, hallucinations credibility and
increases the frequency of valued actions, among other benefits. Although more research is
required, ACT seems a promising treatment for psychosis. Secondly, we will present several
testimonies from different ACT clinicians working within the model of psychosocial
rehabilitation and recovery, and we will promote an open discussion around it.
8. Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS): Psychometric Properties on an Italian sample of

adolescents
Subtopic: subjective happiness, life satisfaction, wellbeing, adolescents
Alessia Panzera, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
Valentina Carloni, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
Martina Romitelli, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
Emanuele Rossi, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
Erika Melchiorri, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS; Lyubomirsky, Lepper, 1997) is a measure of global subjective
happiness developed on adult samples. Its 4 items have been translated into Italian and
submitted on a sample of about 400 students aged 11-14. Data collected support its
comprehensibility also for youths and its good convergent and discriminant validity and
reliability. Adolescents with higher levels of subjective happiness reveal a better quality of life,
more mindfulness abilities, less anxious, depressive, somatic and dissociative symptoms, less
negative beliefs. The availability of an italian version of SHS could have important
consequences both for clinical practice and research.
9. Preliminary analysis of motivational reasons in an aversive task

Subtopic: Defusion, values
ngel Alonso, Universidad de Almera
Carmen Luciano, Universidad de Almera
The aim of this preliminary study is, first, to explore the impact of motivational reasons on
tolerance in an aversive task. Secondly, we explored the effect of these motivational reasons
together with a brief Defusion protocol. Twenty two participants were randomly assigned to
three conditions. All of them went through the aversive task two times (pretest and posttest).
In the Reasons Condition, the participants responded to a questionnaire inbetween the pretest
and the posttest of an aversive task. They were asked to report a reason why they would
continue in the aversive task again, so that the questionnaire included reasons that could
establish a motivational context of values. In the Reasons and Defusion Condition, a brief
protocol of Defusion skills was applied to the participants, in addition to the questionnaire of
reasons. In the Control Condition, the tasks were presented without any protocol inbetween.
Two measures were taken during the aversive task procedure: tolerance to the task and
discomfort self-reports. Results showed a wide diversity in the tolerance to the task. That
variability and the limitations are discussed.
10. Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on parental stress of mothers of

children with nocturnal enuresis
Subtopic: acceptance and commitment therapy, nocturnal enuresis, parental stress
Arezu Kabiri, M.A., Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad branch, Isfahan, Iran
Leili Nourian, M.A., Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad branch, Isfahan, Iran
The purpose of present study was to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and
commitment therapy on parental stress of mothers of children, aged 5 to 12, with nocturnal
enuresis in 2014 in Iran. This semi-experimental study was conducted as pre-test and post-test
with control group. Statistical population included all mothers of children with enuresis in city
of Isfahan(Iran). From among these mothers, 30 mothers were randomly selected and put into
the experimental and control groups of 15 persons each. The parenting stress index(PSI)
questionnaire(Abidin, 1990) was the instrument of this study. The intervention involved 8
sessions, each lasting for 90 min of acceptance and commitment therapy which was provided
merely for experiment group. At the end, the post-test was applied on both groups. The result
of covariance analysis indicate that the experimental group has significantly decreased
parenting stress in the realm of parent(p<0.05) and the realms of child(p<0.05) and there is a
significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of the parenting
stress of children with enuresis(P<0.05). thus, the effectiveness of acceptance and
commitment therapy on decreasing the level of parental stress of mothers of children with
nocturnal enuresis was confirmed.
11. My Body and You: The impact of Body Image on Interpersonal Relationships
Subtopic: Body Image Disturbance
Benjamin Ramos, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Glenn Callaghan, San Jose State University
Emily Squyres, Louisiana Tech University
Emily Sandoz, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Many experience dissatisfaction with the way their bodies look. Sometimes this dissatisfaction
comes to interfere with their lives across many domains. Body image disturbance involves
inaccurate perceptions about ones body that prompt distress. People struggling with body
image disturbance tend to place high importance on their perceptions about their body and
the accompanying thoughts and feelings while actively attempting to avoid them. This
sometimes involves restricting social interactions in an attempt to manage painful body
experience. This study focused on the development and validation of The Body Image and
Relational Distress Scale (BIRDS) with samples with and without body image disturbance.
Preliminary evidence suggests that the BIRDS allows for reliable and valid assessment of the
impact of body image on interpersonal relationships. Data also suggest positive relationships
amongst body image disturbance, psychological distress and interpersonal difficulties.
Implications for family- and group-based treatments of body image disturbance will be
discussed.
12. The relation between executive function and psychological flexibility in adolescents with
longstanding pain
Subtopic: Psychological flexibility, Executive function
Camilla Wiwe Lipsker, MSc, PhD cand., Behavioral Medicine Pain Treatment Service,
Karolinska; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet
Malin Bygrd, MSc student, Behavioral Medicine Pain Treatment Service, Karolinska University
Hospital
Marie Bjoernstjerna, MSc student, Behavioral Medicine Pain Treatment Service, Karolinska
University Hospital
Rikard K. Wicksell, PhD, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Background Executive function refers to a set of cognitive processes used in the management
of goal-directed behaviors and includes intentional skills, such as the ability to initiate, sustain,
inhibit, and shift attention. Chronic pain conditions are complicated and psychologically
challenging to live with. Current research proposes a relationship between pain, self-regulatory
capacity, executive functions and attention control, suggesting that executive functions and
self-regulatory deficits are part of the etiology and maintenance of chronic pain conditions. In
ACT a central treatment target is psychological flexibility, defined as the ability to take action in
line with personally held values even in the presence of interfering thoughts, emotions and
sensations. Psychological flexibility has been described as much depending on and related to
executive functioning. To our knowledge however, there is to date no study that examines the
relation between executive function and psychological flexibility. Aim To examine the
relationship between executive function and psychological flexibility in a sample of
adolescents with longstanding pain Method Patients at the Behavioral Medicine Pain
Treatment Service, Karolinska University Hospital, between the ages 13 17 are recruited to
the study. At present, data from 24 subjects have been obtained. A correlational study design
is employed to evaluate the degree of association between executive function, psychological
flexibility and functional impairment due to pain. The influence of pain level, depression and
insomnia is also investigated. Participants are administered four tests from the Delis-Kaplan
Executive Function System (D-KEFS) as a direct measure of executive function: the Trail Making
Test, The Sorting test, the Color-Word Interference Test, and the Tower Test. Self-report
assessments are administered for measurement of psychological flexibility (PIPS and AFQ-Y),
impairment due to pain (PII), degree of pain (VAS), sleep disturbance (ISI), and depression
(CES-DC). Results & Conclusion Correlation and mediation analyses will be performed in order
to clarify the relationships between the investigated variables. Preliminary results for a
minimum of 24 subjects will be available for presentation in July 2015 along with a discussion
on possible clinical implications and directions for future research.
13. The effect of body image inflexibility on adolescent restrained eating

Subtopic: eating psychopathology
Cludia Ferreira, PhD, Cognitive Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention, University
of Coimbra
Ins A. Trindade, MSc, PhD student, Cognitive Behavioural Centre for Research and
Intervention, University of Coimbra
Cristiana Duarte, MSc, PhD student, Cognitive Behavioural Centre for Research and
Background: Body dissatisfaction has been considered a major problem for women of todays
Western societies. Besides, it was found to be strongly associated with poorer mental health
and to be a predictor of a variety of negative health outcomes, such as depressive mood and
eating psychopathology. Beyond that, research has shown that suffering associated with
negative body image may be mostly due to the way a person deals with unwanted internal
experiences (e.g., perceptions, sensations, thoughts) related to ones own physical
appearance. The impact of these body-related negative experiences may be amplified when
associated with maladaptive emotional regulation processes. In that line, body image-related
experiential avoidance (i.e., the inability to openly contact and accept experiences related to
ones body) may play a central role in the development and maintenance of restrained eating.
The present study thus aimed to explore whether BMI, weight dissatisfaction (WD), and body
dissatisfaction (BD) impact on restrained eating through the effect of increased body imagerelated experiential avoidance (BI-AAQ). Methods: In this study participated 751 female
adolescents with ages comprised between 15 and 19 years old (M = 17.37; SD = 1.46) who
completed the following self-report instruments: the Figure Rating Scale, the Body Image
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BI-AAQ), and the Eating Disorder Examination
Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Path analyses were performed to analyse the mediational effect of BIAAQ on the relationships of BMI, WD and BD towards restrained eating. Results: The final
model explained 22% of BI-AAQ and 34% of restrained eating, revealing an excellent model fit
to the empirical data: CFI = .99; TLI = .99; RMSEA = .03, p = .708. WD ( = .09) and BD ( = .11)
presented direct effects on restrained eating, while controlling for BMI. Nevertheless, the
impact of BD on restrained eating was revealed to partially act through the mechanisms of BIAAQ with a significant indirect effect of .22. Discussion: This study suggests that the known
impact of body dissatisfaction on restrained eating may be partially mediated by the inability
to accept associated negative body image experiences (i.e., body image-related experiential
avoidance). This emotional regulation process should therefore be targeted in clinical
interventions aiming to treat disordered eating symptomatology, which should promote a
more accepting stance towards inner events.
14. Entanglement with body image and womens psychological well-being
Subtopic: Quality of Life
of Coimbra
Cristiana Duarte, MSc, PhD student, Cognitive Behavioural Centre for Research and
Background: Literature has considered negative perceptions of body image as important

predictors of lower well-being, especially in women from Western societies for whom physical
appearance is a central self-evaluation dimension. Specifically, body dissatisfaction in women
has been strongly associated with decreased psycho-social functioning and psychological QoL.
These relationships however do not seem to be linear and may involve maladaptive emotional
regulation processes, which are considered crucial to understand the impact of negative
experiences on humans well-being. Cognitive fusion (defined as the entanglement with ones
internal events considering them facts rather than interpretations of reality) is one
maladaptive process that has been vastly associated with QoL impairments and
psychopathology. Still, the role of cognitive fusion regarding body image-related internal
experiences in psychological QoL is little explored. This study thus examines whether the
effects of experiences associated with body weight and shape on decreased psychological QoL
are mediated by higher levels of body image-related cognitive fusion (CFQ-BI). Method: This
studys sample was composed of 679 female college students aged between 18 and 23 years
old (M = 20.17; SD = 1.56) and with a mean BMI of 21.83 (SD = 2.88). The test battery
comprised several self-report measures: Figure Rating Scale, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire
Body Image (CFQ-BI), and World Health Organization Brief Quality of Life Assessment Scale
(WHOQOL-BREF). With basis on the postulated hypothesis, a theoretical model was designed
and tested through path analyses. These analyses examined the mediational effects of body
image-related cognitive fusion on the associations of BMI, WD, and BD towards psychological
QoL. Results: The tested model explained 31% of psychological QoL and revealed an excellent
model fit to the empirical data: CFI = .999; TLI = .998; RMSEA = .020, p = .785. Data also
indicated that the effects of BMI, WD, and BD did not directly predict psychological QoL, being
totally mediated by the mechanisms of body image-related cognitive fusion. Discussion: These
findings show that the impact of body-related unwanted experiences on womens
psychological QoL seems to be dependent upon the level of cognitive fusion with those
internal events. Therefore, programs aiming to promote young womens well-being in the
context of body image difficulties may benefit from developing the ability to observe body
image-related internal events as transitory and subjective experiences (i.e., body imagerelated cognitive defusion).
15. Virtual defusion is real defusion? An exploration of a VR-supported defusion exercise

Subtopic: Defusion, Virtual Reality
Concetta Messina, University Kore, Enna (Italy)
Martina Leuzzi, University Kore, Enna (Italy)
Daniele Lombardo, Behaviour Labs, Catania (Italy)
Marco Lombardo, Behaviour Labs, Catania (Italy)
Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Paolo Moderato, PhD, IULM Unversity (Milan, Italy)
Cognitive defusion is one of the six processes of an ACT protocol. Experiential exercises are
designed to undermine the functions of thoughts by altering the literal meaning of words
putting the in contexts that are different from those in which they usually occur. This can be
done in different ways that have been described in many research protocols. We aimed to test
one particular new way of working on cognitive defusion using Virtual Reality, who has been
demonstrated and effective technology in exposure based protocols. Ten participants were
asked, with a mindfulness exercise, to focus on particular negative thoughts that were lately
troubling them. A thought was typed in a specifically designed software and a physicalizing
exercise in which the thoughts of the participant took any of 6 shapes and any of 9 colours was
presented. While listening to a mindfulness exercise the participant could play with the
thought-object in a 3D environment which reproduced also their hands in a full immersion
experience. In a series of single-case alternating treatment designs, the VR-supported defusion
exercise was compared to a distraction task, and to a thought control task. Discomfort and
believability of negative thoughts were measured with a visual analog scale. In addition AAQ
was repeatedly administered before and after the exercise. Both discomfort and believability
were reduced by the VR-supported defusion exercise, more than the distraction and thought
control task. Virtual teality could be a promising technique to be used in ACT protocols.
16. Turning towards adaptive eating behaviours: Examination of the Portuguese version of
the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 and its association with decentering and body image flexibility
Subtopic: Eating Behaviours
Cristiana Duarte, MSc, PhD Student, Cognitive and Behavioural Centre for Research and
Intervention (CINEICC), University of Coimbra
Jos Pinto-Gouveia, MD, PhD, Cognitive and Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention
(CINEICC), University of Coimbra
Ana Mendes, MSc., Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra
Background: Intuitive eating is defined as an adaptive form of eating characterized by the

ability of connecting with and understanding ones internal hunger and satiety signals, rather
than engaging in reactive eating behaviours in response to emotional or external cues. The
current study aimed at examining the psychometric properties of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2
(IES-2) in the Portuguese population and the association between IES-2 and important
protective mechanisms for body image and eating-related difficulties, namely decentering and
body image flexibility. Method: A sample of 545 women from the general population was used
to examine the factorial structure of the IES-2 through a second-order Confirmatory Factor
Analysis, and to examine the scales psychometric properties. Results: A four-factorial
structure was corroborated which included the factors: Unconditional permission to eat;
Eating for physical reasons rather than emotional reasons; Reliance on hunger and satiety
cues; and Body-food choice congruence. The scale revealed adequate internal consistency,
construct and discriminant validity, and good temporal stability. IES-2 was inversely associated
with body mass index, eating psychopathology, namely binge eating, and anxiety, depressive
and stress symptoms. On the contrary, positive associations were found between the IES-2 and
decentering, and especially body image flexibility. Discussion: Findings confirmed that the IES-2
seems to be a valid and useful tool for assessing adaptive eating behaviours and their
association with mecanisms relevant for healthy eating and weight regulation, and carry
therefore important implications for the treatment and prevention of body image and eatingrelated problems in the community.
17. Should eastern meditation be used in drug treatment facilities?: An examination of

psychological and spiritual symptoms of substance use disorder
Subtopic: Mindfulness
Debesh Mallik, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Despite the availability of various substance abuse treatments, substance misuse and the
negative consequences associated with it remain a serious problem in our society. Various
types of meditation have been evaluated for treatment of substance use disorders, but the
research has not drawn any specific conclusions. This may be due to the lack of a structurally
equivalent control group, and lack of spiritual emphasis. Therefore, the current study included
a spiritual emphasis (12-steps) and inner eye concentration, a relaxation control group
(progressive relaxation), and a treatment-as-usual control (TAU) group. The meditation
technique was a simple raja yoga meditation technique where the attention of focus remains
on the point between the eyebrows. The current study examines changes in substance use,
spirituality, depression, anxiety, stress, emotional regulation, and health-related quality of life
among three groups (meditation, progressive relaxation, and TAU) over a 6 week period.
Implications for integration of meditation with behavioral treatments and how Hindu
philosophies of meditation relate to contextual science will be discussed.
18. Self-reference Alters Positive Evaluations in Borderline Personality Disorder

Subtopic: Borderline Personality Disorder

Dorina Winter, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg
University, Germany
Cornelia Herbert, PhD, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
Katrin Koplin, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg
University, Germany
Martin Bohus, MD, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg
University, Germany
Christian Schmahl, MD, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim,
Heidelberg University, Germany
Stefanie Lis, PhD, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg
University, Germany
Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by emotional

dysregulation, impulsivity and interpersonal difficulties (Leichsenring et al., 2011). It has been
suggested, that self-related processes may contribute to BPD patients psychopathology
(Bender & Skodol, 2007; Jorgensen, 2009, 2010; Moritz et al., 2011; Schilling et al., 2015).
Indeed, the extent to which people tend to refer (emotional) information to themselves
influences their emotional reactions and social interactions (Heider, 1958; Weiner, 1986).
Thus, we present original data aimed to investigate self-referential processing in BPD and its
modulation by the valence of information content. Methods: 30 BPD patients and 30 healthy
control participants rated negative, positive and neutral words paired with self-, other- or no
reference. Afterwards, depth of mental processing was measured using a recall and a
recognition task. Results: BPD patients rated self-referential, positive words as less positive
than healthy controls. This was not the case for negative or neutral words nor for words with
other-reference. This devaluation of self-referential, positive words was related to
psychometric measures of attributional style. Groups did not differ regarding the effect of
reference or the interaction of valence and reference in the memory tasks. Conclusions: Our
findings suggest a devaluation of self-related, positive information in BPD. Associations with
self-esteem and implications for emotion dysregulation and problems in social interactions will
be discussed.
19. Development and Validation of the Flexibility of Responses to Self-Critical Thoughts Scale
(FoReST)
Subtopic: Assessment measure
Dr Peter Larkin, University of Glasgow
Dr Ross White, University of Glasgow
Judith McCluskey, University of Glasgow
Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to help individuals live a life
congruent to their values by cultivating psychological flexibility (PF); the ability to respond to
experiences with acceptance and creativity. Concurrently, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
addresses the role of self-attacking cognitions on psychological difficulties. Recent work
suggests that integrating aspects of CFT into an ACT approach (i.e. developing a persons PF to
self-attacking thoughts through self-compassion) may offer additional therapeutic value. There
remains no assessment of this specific therapeutic process. Aims: The project aimed to
develop and validate a new scale to assess flexibility of responses to self-critical thoughts
(FoReST). A further study is ongoing to validate the FoResT within a clinical population.
Methods: Factor Analysis was used to explore factor structure of the FoReST in a convenience
sample of 253 adults. Construct validity was explored by comparing FoReST with measures of
similar constructs (PF, self-compassion, self-criticism) and potentially related outcomes
(anxiety, depression, quality of life). Results: Alternative 2-factor (unworkable action and
avoidance) and 1-factor (unworkable action) versions of the FoReST showed high concurrent
validity with similar measures, good predictive validity for mental health and wellbeing
outcomes and good internal consistency. The relative strengths and weaknesses of both
versions are discussed. 100 participants are now being recruited from Primary care and
Community Mental Health Teams in order to complete Confirmatory Factor Analysis on a
clinical sample. Recommendations: Findings indicate that the FoReST may offer a useful clinical
and research tool for emerging forms of ACT for people high in self-criticism. Future research is
ongoing to confirm the factor structure of the FoReST, confirm concurrent, predictive validity,
test-retest reliability, and validate the scale in relevant clinical populations.
20. ACT-Cardbook / ACT-Kartenbuch

Subtopic: Transfer of ACT in to daily living
Dr. Hagen Boeser, Private Practice
I created 13 cards for ACT therapy. 5 ideas, 4 metaphors and 4 exercises. Each card has a topic
that is explained on one side of the card and on the other side of the card there is a picture
that illustrates the topic. So you can talk about the topic in the session and can give the patient
the card to take home. At home he/she can put it at the refrigerator to remind him/her self
about the topic. Also in ACT-training I use the cards to enhance the learning on ACT topics. The
card book is written in german.
21. Work in progress: The Role of Psychological Flexibility in Expecting and Reaching a
Behavioral Change
Subtopic: Common factors perspective
Dragan Zuljevic, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
The role of psychological flexibility in provoking, reaching and maintaining a behavioral change
is well documented (Hayes, Luoma, Bond, Masuda, & Lillis, 2006). On the other hand, the
expectations of treatment outcome have been identified as one of the crucial common factors
of successful psychotherapy (Wampold & Imel, 2015). The main goal of this evolving
longitudinal research is to determine the relations between change expectations and

psychological flexibility and their potential power in predicting the psychotherapy outcome. So
far, the research consists of cca. 100 participants suffering from some kind of psychological
problem of nonclinical intensity, receiving psychotherapy as usual within the counseling
centers across Serbia. Each of them are subjected to multiple assessments: during the contact
interview, before the first therapy session, after third and sixth session, on the treatment end,
as well as three months after the end of treatment. During these assessments, the following
instruments are administered: Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ II; Bond et al.,
2011, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), Anxiety
Change Expectation Scale (ACES; Dozios & Westra, 2005) and Satisfaction With Life Scale
(SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985). The theoretical and practical implications of
possible relations between these variables and their change slopes across various treatment
phases will be presented and discussed.
22. Profiles of Avoidance, Acceptance, Tolerance, and Mindfulness Predict Psychosocial

Health
Subtopic: Avoidance
Emily R. Pichler, B.A., University of Vermont
Justin Parent, B.A., University of Vermont
Martin Seehuus, M.A., University of Vermont
Background Emotional responding involves the different manners in which individuals might
react to their internal experiences, and is of primary interest in the development of
psychological and behavioral health. Accepting, non-avoidant responses have reliably been
associated with increased well-being and decreased symptomology. However, despite
increasing interest in various forms of emotional responding, few efforts have been made to
capture typical patterns of emotional responding using person-centered approaches. The
present study aims to uncover unique profiles of emotional responding that relate to
differential risk for psychosocial problems and mental health. Method Participants were 307
men and women ages 18-64 recruited via Mechanical Turk. Information gathered included
experiential avoidance (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II), emotional non-acceptance
(Non-acceptance of Emotional Responses subscale of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation
Scale), mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale), tolerance of negative emotions
(Tolerance of Negative Affective States scale), current psychological symptoms and well-being
(Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Scale), and recent drug and alcohol use. Results Modelbased cluster analysis was conducted with experiential avoidance, nonacceptance of emotions,
emotional tolerance, and mindfulness as input variables. The best-fitting solution identified
distinct profiles of responding, including (1) highly mindful, accepting, and nonavoidant, (2)
highly mindful, accepting, nonavoidant, and tolerant, (3) average, (4) average but
experientially avoidant, and (5) avoidant, nonaccepting, and nonmindful responding.
Associations between emotional profile and outcomes of interest were computed using
ANOVA; results indicated differential risk for psychological problems and propensity for wellbeing and satisfaction based on emotional response profile. Discussion Findings offer support
for unique profiles of responses to emotions; further, individual differences in emotional
responding may be associated with increased risk for particular psychological, social, or
behavioral problems. Recommendations for assessment and treatment include increased
attention to particular profiles of acceptance, mindfulness, avoidance, and tolerance. Future
research should examine the impact of emotional response profiles in clinical samples and
culturally diverse populations.
23. Act for Kids and Teens in Italy: Experience and directions of a working group
Subtopic: Children, adolescents and parents
Francesco Dell'Orco, Universit IULM,Milan & IESCUM, Italy
Arianna Ristallo, Universit IULM,Milan & IESCUM, Italy
Marta Schweiger, Universit IULM,Milan & IESCUM, Italy
Giovambattista Presti, Universit Kore,Enna(Italy) & IESCUM, Italy
Francesca Pergolizzi, IESCUM, Italy
Act for kids and teens is a special interest group of ACT-Italia, founded in 2013. The group aims
to exchange ideas and share experiences, to promote communication among clinicians, to
support empirical studies and application of ACT-based work to children, adolescents and their
families. Participants. Clinicians, researchers and students from different parts of Italy,
interested and specialized in the application of ACT with children, adolescents and parents.
Organization. Eight meetings and a 2-days intensive workshop have been organized since
October 2013. Each meeting had a specific topic (i.e. assessment procedures, basic processes,
valued actions) shared by the group. Participants submitted their contributions (clinical
reports, assessment tools, experiential exercises, paper reviews or data) through an online
form. Each contribution was presented and discussed by the group during the meeting. Goals.
Publication of a handbook that collects different resources for practicing ACT with children and
adolescents in the Italian context: assessment measures, practical tools (exercises, cards,
games) developed by the group and clinical cases with young clients. The group also is
working to explore and validate creative ACT-oriented procedures and protocols to manage
interventions with parents and caregivers. The structure of the group and a preview of its work
will be presented.
24. ACT, selective mutism, and sociale phobia (I): Case Conceptualization and integration of
contingent reinforcement of conversation patterns
Subtopic: Selective mutism, social phobia, children
Giovanna Nardin, Humanitas Clinical School, Milan (Italy) and Iescum (Italy)
Margherita Gurrieri, IESCUM (Italy)
Simone Napolitano, ASCoC Clinical School, Lamezia Terme (Italy) and IESCUM (Italy)
Giovambattista Presti, MD, Phd, Kore University, Enna (Italy)

Paolo Moderato, IULM University, Mialn (Italy)
The purpose of this poster is to show how it is possible to integrate more traditional behavioral
strategies with the ACT model when working with children. As an example we will discuss the
case of a 8 year old child with Selective Mutism, who started speaking at 3 but only with his
parents and sister. Treatment was delivered at childs home in individual sessions in the
context of children games that required the use of language. At the beginning his mother was
present with the function of prompting childs verbal responses and her presence was later
gradually faded. Initially the ACT protocol was focused of the child avoidant behavior as a
consequence of his fusion with the thoughts of being unable to speak in public. Defusion
exercises such as asking the child to note his thoughts and write them on rubber balls that he
had to keep in his pocket also after the end of the therapy session, were used to undermine his
verbal rules related to speaking in public. Parents were also fused with the idea of the childs
difficulties. After working on defusion the therapist focused on increasing childs verbal skills
by shaping his verbal behavior pattern with contingent reinforcement. Generalization of his
verbal interaction with peers and the significant adults, such as teachers, was carefully planned
to extend to his many social contexts the trained interactios. The ACT hexaflex was particularly
helpful to the therapist to help conceptualize her fusion and avoidant behavior and to better
work with the child in the present moment.
25. ACT, selective mutism, and sociale phobia (II): Case Conceptualization and intervention in
the mother-child interaction
Subtopic: Selective mutism, social phobia, children
Giovanna Nardin, Humanitas Clinical School, Milan (Italy) and IESCUM (Italy)
Giovambattista Presti, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Selective mutism is a complex disorder characterized by persistent inability to speak in specific

social contexts, such as schools or other public situations, or even at home or with peers. Both
spontaneous speaking and responding to requests can be reduced sometimes to zero levels.
The onset of SM usually occurs before age 5 and it affects 1% of the clinical population. It is
frequently associated and overlaps with social phobia. Both disorders are characterized by
strong experiential avoidance. In SM, experiential avoidance is focused on communicative
performance. This makes the differential diagnosis very complicated and often SM is confused
with other developmental disorders, such as mental retardation. The purpose of this poster is
to offer a rationale for using ACT with those children and their families, being experiential
avoidance crucial to this disorder. A clinical case of a 6 year old child with SM treated with ACT
is presented. The treatment is focused on childs and mothers experiential avoidance,
conceptualized as a set of behaviors governed by verbal rules, non in line line with own
svalues. The first part of the treatment was designed to promote mothers values-oriented
behavior towards her child after defusing her from unpleasant thoughts and emotions related
to her sons difficulties. The second part of the protocol was addressed to increase childs
awareness of his verbal rules using the matrix built on Mickey Mouse metaphor. It will be
ahown how it was possible to to increase his discrimination of his own behavior, and through
defusion and acceptance promote many changes by shaping his behavior with contingent
reinforcement. It was also possible to generalize these changes to the other contexts, such as
school and interactions with the strangers. Treatment adaptations that need to be considered
when using ACT with such young subjects suffering from this disorder, will be described and
relevant areas for future research will be discussed.
26. ACT, selective mutism, and social phobia (III): Case Conceptualization and FAP enhanced
intervention
Subtopic: Selctive mutism, social phobia, adolescent
Margherita Gurrieri, IESCUM, Italy
Paola Stracquadanio, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Giovanna Nardin, Humanitas Clinical School, Milan (Italy) and IESCUM (Italy)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Functional Analytic Therapy (FAP), are
effective in the treatment of different anxiety disorders. DSM-5 defines Selective Mutism as
the consistent inability to speak in specific social situations (in which there is an expectation
for speaking, e.g., at school) despite speaking is possible in other situations (e.g. at home). The
treatment of a 18 years old young man, diagnosed with Selective Mutism and Social Phobia
will be presented, in order to introduce the ACT conceptualization model and to show how to
map the processes on the Hexaflex to guide intervention. ACT experiential exercises were
enhanced with FAP in order to promote significant changes by shaping client responses with
contingent reinforcement. The general aim of the therapy was to reduce relevant clinical
symptoms and decrease the number of avoided contexts. The first phase of the treatment
aimed to increase the ability to recognize emotions and thoughts and identify values and goals.
During the second phase the matrix model was introduced as a videogame in order to
develop discriminations of avoidant behavior and develop psychological flexibility. The third
phase of the therapy was oriented to help the client to apply the developed social and
interpersonal skills in a range of new situations, by being present in the moment an be open to
make room to discomfort. The effect of the treatment was measured with AAQ2, VLQ, CFQ,
YSR, BAI. Changes in the frequencies of some CRB1 and CRB2 during sessions will be shown.
Presentation will underline the changes made by the clients behavior and how they correlate
to the six processes of the Hexaflex and particular attention will be given to exposure
experiences
27. Psychological flexibility in Middle Earth: metaphors and experiential exercises for an
Hobbit lover kid refusing school
Subtopic: School refusal, social anxiety, children
Giulia Mazzei, IESCUM (Italy)
Paolo Moderato, PhD, Iulm University, Milan (Italy)
Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) uses metaphors and experiential exercises to
disentangle verbally governed behavior that is functionally related to inflexibile human
behavioral patters. Though originally not designed for kids, it is possible to use standard ACT
metaphors and experiential exercises to help verbally competent children. However, it is
necessary to tweak those metaphors and exercises to make them meaningful and close to the
childs world. We explored the possibility of creating an homogeneous therapeutic
environment for a 9 year old child, passionate about The Lord of the Rings, to help him
facing school avoidance, decrease cognitive fusion with self-judgment and ideas about himself
and others, and increase his emotional and empathic skills. The designed protocol was based
on The Lord of the Rings trilogy so that every metaphor and experiential exercise working on
every ACT process was linked to the fantasy novel. A functional analysis had previously
identified a restricted repertoire in taking the perspective of others, So every session started
with the vision of a scene of one of the three movies of Tolkiens trilogy relevant to the process
the therapist would work on and a perspective taking exercise on the characters in the scene.
Focus of the exercise was the perspective of the characters and the child and the feelings and
emotions involved in the scene and in the moment in the office. By the end of the protocol the
child increased his psychological flexibility in every area of his life and perspective taking skills.
The value of a metaphorical environment, based on childrens preference, as a useful tool to
face verbal rules and promote significant changes will be discussed.
28. Changes of valued behaviors and functioning during an Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy Intervention
Subtopic: Values; value-directed behaviors; valued-behaviors
Hanna Wersebe, University of Basel
Roselind Lieb, PhD., University of Basel
Andrea Meyer, PhD, University of Basel
Andrew Gloster, PhD, University of Basel
Background: The purpose of the study was to examine changes in value-directed behaviors and
their association with patient functioning. Further we aimed to investigate whether initial
higher levels of psychological flexibility are associated with subsequent increases in valued
action and if initial lower levels of panic symptomatology are associated with a subsequent
increases in valued action. Methods: Participants were 43 adult patients with treatmentresistant panic disorder, who received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and
completed measurements at pre-treatment, post-treatment, as well as 6-months later at

Follow-Up (FU). Results: Results of mixed models analyses showed that valued behaviors
increased from pretreatment to FU, suggesting that participants lived more in accord with
their values. Functioning increased significantly over the course of the study. Increased
functioning was not associated with increased valued action. Initial higher levels of
psychological flexibility were not associated with subsequent increase in valued action. Also,
patients with lower initial levels of panic symptoms did not exhibit subsequent increases in
valued action. Discussion: Our study extends prior findings about valued behaviors and showed
that valued behaviors increase over the course of the study. Further studies investigating
changes in value-directed behaviors across various diagnoses samples are clearly necessary.
29. Simple Living, Valued Living: An international study of Voluntary Simplicity and
Psychological Flexibility
Subtopic: Values-Based Living
Hein Zegers, UvH University Utrecht
Background Voluntary Simplicity or Simple Living is a low-consumption lifestyle that does not
attract much empirical scientific attention, partly because its practitioners are considered a
hard-to-reach population. In this international study, more than 500 Simplifiers have been
interviewed in four different languages. The data are then analysed thematically according to
the Psychological Flexibility Model. Method People living a Voluntary Simplicity lifestyle were
recruited over the Internet. After selection by objective criteria, 489 Simplifiers world-wide
were withheld. These people were interviewed in resp. English, French, German and Dutch.
This makes this the first multilingual study of its kind. Then the international Simplifier data are
analysed. After a grounded theory analysis allowing themes to emerge, a thematic analysis is
performed according to the six components of the Psychological Flexibility Model (the socalled ACT Hexaflex Model). Results The Hexaflex / Psychological Flexibility Model offers a
surprisingly close match to how Simplifiers explain how they came to live and currently live
their Voluntary Simplicity lifestyle. With more time/resources for what really matters as the
most frequently occuring global theme, Simplifiers seem to be especially skilled in Values /
Committed Action. Discussion Many Simplifiers from all over the world turn out to
unknowingly walk the talk of ACT. Therefore, more ACT-specific research into the Simplifier
Community may yield a boiler plate for clinical and community interventions leading towards
more global psychological flexibility.
30. The Use of Mindful Focusing as Chronic Pain Management Skills

Subtopic: Chronic Pain, Mindfulness
Lee Sook Huey, Hospital Kuala Lumpur
This poster aims to describe the use of mindful focusing technique to reduce impact and
interference of pain on chronic pain patient in Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, Malaysia. Fear
avoidance towards pain is found to predict patient's distress towards their pain. Patients were
taught to intentionally pay attention and stay with the pain, describe and label the pain with
acceptance and non-reactivity. Patient's feedback on their experience of using focusing will be
discussed.
31. MatheMatrix: an advance contextual behavioral tool for in-vivo modeling of clinical
relevant behaviors
Subtopic: The Matrix, clinical tools
Nicola Maffini, Private Practice: Leaves, Applied Psychology - Parma, Italy
Roberto Cattivelli, Istituto Auxologico Italiano
Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) is developed to help individuals to

unstuck from unhealthy thought patterns by encouraging them align their values with their
actions. MM is a way to simplify, deliver and adapt FACT intervention for even more essential
therapy and consulting setting, both individual and group. MatheMatrix (MM) is a
discriminative training procedure that allow to implement and strengthen the effect of core
therapeutic processes as: maieutic persuasion, ongoing shaping, creative hoplessness and
problem solving. Further application regarding promotion of generalization and extension to
novel context such as disfunctional pliance and reason giving reduction. Developed from Kevin
Polks The Matrix, MatheMatrix is based three pillars of Hexaflex, and in particular on the
framework of FACT, Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, focusing on a narrowing
set of basic processes and aimed to promote radical change in a brief treatment context.
MatheMatrix should be consider as a variant of the Matrix, used in alternative or in
combination with it, and is founded on principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy,
Relational Frame Theory and, more in general, on behavior analysis by a functional
contextualist point of view. Two multicentric pilot study based on the application of MM are
currently running.
32. AWAY from talk, TOWARD action: Using the Matrix to engage challenging youth
Subtopic: Adolescence
Susie McAfee, Ph.D., IWK Health Centre
There is increasing recognition that the ACT model is suitable to adaptations addressing the
developmental needs of adolescence and evidence is accumulating for its efficacy with youth.
Successful work with adolescents requires quickly generating a high level of engagement, a
task for which the matrix is well suited. Using case examples, the author will discuss the matrix
as a youth-friendly framework for jump starting ACT work with teens. The matrixs interactive
and visual format allows clinicians to easily avoid the common traps of over-reliance on verbal
discussion and intellectualization. The workability of the matrix in individual therapy, schoolbased intervention, and as a waitlist management strategy will be discussed. In addition, the
author will discuss how the matrix has functioned as an excellent entry point for increasing
awareness of ACT as an evidence-based alternative and providing education about basic ACT
principles to colleagues and trainees within the outpatient Mental Health and Addictions
Program at the IWK Childrens Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The matrixs value as
an professional education tool is particularly important given that the application of ACT in
publicly funded pediatric mental health centres across Canada is at its earliest stages.
33. Engagement in Mindfulness Practices and the Impact on Trait Mindfulness Ability in a
College Sample
Sarah A. Potts, Utah State University
Scott DeBerard, PhD, Utah State University
Background: Mindfulness interventions have become an increasingly popular psychological

intervention for mental health providers, especially in Westernized countries (Shapiro, Brown,
Thoresen, & Plante, 2011). While a number of studies suggest that mindfulness interventions
increase mindfulness ability, as demonstrated by an increase in awareness, attention to the
present moment, or other component of mindfulness (Piet, Hougaard, Hecksher, & Rosenberg,
2010; Shapiro et al., 2011), this assertion has not been validated since many researchers
utilizing a mindfulness intervention fail to include measures assessing change in trait
mindfulness ability. Methods: The survey study examined mindfulness engagement and trait
mindfulness, as well as physical and mental health correlates of trait mindfulness. Participants
included 275 students enrolled at Utah State University (74% female). Trait mindfulness ability
was measured with the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS; Brown & Ryan, 2003)
and the Five Facet Mindfulness Scale (FFMQ; Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney,
2006). Psychological factors were assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck,
Ward, Mendelson, Mock, & Erbaugh, 1961) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen,
Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983). The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2; Ware, Kosinski,
Dewey, & Gandek, 2000) measured mental and physical health-related quality of life. Results:
Previous time spent in mindfulness was positively correlated with two FFMQ subscales
[Observe r(218)=0.26, p<.01) and Describing r(218)=0.19, p<.05)] and negatively related to
FFMQ subscale Nonjudging of Inner Experience r(218)=-0.16, p<.05). Individuals with previous
mindfulness engagement reported similar trait mindfulness to those who had not reported
previous engagement, with the exception of the MMFQ subscale Observe, which was higher
for individuals with previous engagement (d=0.41). (Additional results will be reported.)
Discussion: Overall, these data suggest a weak relationship between general mindfulness
engagement impact and trait mindfulness ability. They also suggest that more efforts are
needed toward understanding this relationship (e.g., intervention, measurement, identifying
mediators), especially since a significantl amount of therapeutic interventions incorporate

mindfulness engagement.
34. Weight Self-Stigma and Problem Eating Behaviors: Multiple Predictors, Unique
Associations, and the Centrality of Psychological Flexibility in a College Sample
Primary Topic: Prevention and Community-Based Interventions
Subtopic: Weight Self-Stigma and Eating Problems
Sarah A. Potts, Utah State University
Jack Haeger, Utah State University
Benjamin Pierce, Utah State University
Michael M. Levin, Utah State University
Background: Research has found that weight self-stigma contributes to psychological distress
and is a greater predictor of health-related quality of life than body mass index (BMI). Similarly,
emotional eating behavior has been associated with low distress tolerance, greater
psychological distress, and unhealthy food choices. The ability to manage weight self-stigma
and urges to eat emotionally may be linked to the ability to behave flexibly in the context of
these and other difficult inner experiences. Therefore, it was hypothesized that psychological
flexibility would predict later self-stigma associated with weight, emotional eating tendencies,
and binge eating episodes in a sample of undergraduate students. These relationships were
anticipated to persist after controlling for participant gender, BMI, and prior psychological
distress. Methods: Participants (N = 354; 64% female) completed measures of BMI,
psychological distress, and psychological flexibility during the first wave of the study. One
month later, participants reported on weight self-stigma, emotional eating, and the count of
binge eating episodes within the past month. Weight self-stigma and emotional eating were
regressed separately upon participant age, gender, BMI, psychological distress, and
psychological flexibility as predictors. Poisson regression analysis was used to model the count
of binge eating episodes as a function of these predictors. Results: Psychological flexibility
emerged as a statistically significant predictor of all outcomes after controlling for
psychological distress, BMI, and participant gender. Psychological distress statistically
significantly predicted emotional eating and the count of binge eating episodes, but was not
related to weight self-stigma. BMI statistically significantly predicted weight self-stigma, while
gender was a significant predictor of emotional eating and the count of binge eating episodes.
Discussion: The results of this study suggest that psychological flexibility may reduce the
impact of perceived weight stigma and increase the ability to cope with urges to eat
emotionally. Further, the findings indicate that psychological flexibility a better predictor of
weight self-stigma than psychological distress. Implications of these findings for preventing
and intervening with body image concerns and problem eating behaviors are discussed.
35. Individual trajectories of online students' academic emotions, effort regulation, and wellbeing following a brief academic values exercise: A replicated, case-based time series
evaluation.
Primary Topic: Educational settings

Subtopic: Value
Kelli Howard, M.Ed, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Patricia Frazier, Ph.D, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Viann Nguyen, MPH, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Julia Urban, B.A., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Online learning is attractive for the potential to connect global learners and reach traditionally
underserved populations. However, attrition rates are demonstrably higher in online learning
environments, a difference some have attributed to the lack of contextual sources of selfregulation (Allen & Seaman, 2013; Hart, 2012; Lehman & Conceicao, 2014), as well as higher
amounts of negative academic emotions in online vs. traditional classroom settings.
Additionally, online students typically lack access to on-campus resources for emotional wellbeing and prevention of mental health problems. Thus, there is a need for the development
and testing of interventions that help online students respond adaptively, and persist,
alongside negative emotional experiences. Research suggests that brief values-based
interventions can be helpful in improving students' academic performance and well-being
(Chase et al., 2013; Cohen, Garcia, Apfel, & Master, 2006); however, such interventions have
not been tested in the online learning environment. Researchers in the current study
investigated the effectiveness of a brief online values exercise that had been embedded into
the curriculum of two online psychology courses at a large university. Ninety university
students completed weekly measures of academic emotions, self-regulation, and well-being
for twelve weeks. Results of data analyses, using a replicated, case-based time series design,
indicated salutary effects of the intervention on several outcomes, with small to medium
effect sizes. Additionally, individual and group-level trajectories on outcome measures will be
shown in comparison to a group (n = 380) of students who did not complete the academic
intervention, suggesting a preventative effect. Implications for embedding similar
interventions into a range of online learning contexts will be discussed.
36. Integrating ACT Training into Post-graduate Psychology programs at Makerere

University, Uganda
Primary Topic: Educational Settings
Subtopic: Professional Development
Rosco Kasujja, Makerere University School of Psychology, Department of Mental Health &
Community Psychology
My name is Rosco Kasujja, and I am from Kampala, Uganda. I am a clinical Psychologist

currently employed by Makerere University School of Psychology with the Department of
Mental Health & Community Psychology. The school of Psychology has four post-graduate
programs including the post-graduate diploma in counseling and guidance, M. A. Counseling
Psychology Master of Science in Clinical Psychology , and a Masters in Organizational
Psychology. Makerere University is the oldest and biggest training institution in East Africa, and
has been a source of education to so many African scholars. In fact, Makerere continues to
attract many scholars from East Africa and beyond. It currently ranks amongst the top ten
universities in Africa.
I have been involved with the department since 2009. I worked as a lecturer while I also
coordinate activities for the masters programs, especially internship and practicum placement.
I am also involved in curriculum development within the department. In my position at the
university I have noticed that most of the text-books and resources utilized are typically from
either North America, specifically U.S.A, or Europe, which limits students from having context
specific references while learning.
While I am fully employed by Makerere University, I also get involved in a lot of psychosocial
work in Northern Uganda (formerly war-affected areas) where the LRA rebels disrupted life. I
am actively involved in training and supervising local counselors there. This training offers me a
great honor of introducing ACT to wide range of practitioners within and around the country.
Training opportunities for students in Uganda
Post-graduate students at Makerere University (both M.A counseling & Msc. Clinical
Psychology) are expected to learn and practice psychotherapy. However, most of the
approaches passed onto them strictly follow text from Europe and North America. Last years
introduction to ACT workshop which was offered by an ACT expert from the University of
Glasgow offered was an intrigue and excited us. The students want to learn more because the
approach was something they related to. Its indeed an approach that is very much contextual
and has room for local resources. This is something, with proper training, can become a very
useful tool for students and other local experts they get in contact with.
37. The role of experiential avoidance in a University setting: Associations between

perceived occupational stress, social support, coping, and health problems
Primary Topic: Organizational behavior management
Subtopic: workplace stress
Eleni Karayianni, Psy.D., Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus
Georgia Panayiotou, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus
Background: WHO has been reporting that the cost of stress, job strain, as well as related
mental and physical health issues experienced in the workplace is increasing each year. While
ACT has been applied to the workplace with great success, the exact role of experiential
avoidance needed to be defined. Method: The present study investigated the relationship
between experiential avoidance as measured by the AAQ-II, perceived stress as measured by
the PSS-10, social support as measured by the SSQ, and coping as measured by the Brief COPE
as related to physical and health problems measured by the PHQ-15 in a University sample (N
= 112). Results: Analyses indicated significant correlations between perceived stress and
overall health (r = .46), and experiential avoidance and perceived stress (r = -.65). Further
analyses showed there are significant correlations between emotional avoidance and
perceived social support received, reported recent health problems, coping factors (e.g.,
positive reframing, denial, behavioral disengagement, etc). Regression analyses, however,

failed to result in significant interactions between these factors and other factors such as
gender, marital status, and age. Discussion: Results are discussed in terms of previous research
findings of applying ACT in this context, the role of psychological flexibility within the
workplace and occupational intervention design.
38. The Impact of Acceptance vs Suppression During an ROTC Army Physical Fitness Test
Primary Topic: Performance-enhancing interventions
Subtopic: Performance and Sports Psychology
Stephen Sheets, MA, California School of Professional Psychology
Jill Stoddard, Ph.D, California School of Professional Psychology
Background: In performance and sports psychology, Psychological Skills Training (PST), which
involves suppression and control strategies including arousal control, goal setting, self-talk,
and imagery/visualization, has dominated the focus of research and practice for the last 30
years (Singer et al., 1991). Despite its use as the primary methodology for performance and
sports psychologists, the efficacy of PST has been found to be at best experimental (Gardner &
Moore, 2009). Growing research is investigating the application of Mindfulness and
Acceptance-based Therapies to sports performance on the field of play (Gardner & Moore,
2006). However, little is understood about the underlying mechanisms of performance.
Furthermore, despite the emphasis the military places on performance, little research has
been conducted with military populations and the role of performance enhancement
techniques. Method: 95 ROTC cadets from three San Diego Universities participated in an
experimental study to determine the effects of emotion regulation on physical performance.
Utilizing a 2 X 2 factor design, participants were randomized to either an acceptance or
suppression emotion regulation condition. Dependent variables included scores on the Army
Physical Fitness Test (APFT), the Activity Flow State Scale (AFSS; Payne, et. al. 2011), and
participants subjective self-ratings of performance. It was hypothesized that participants in
the acceptance group would demonstrate greater improvements in performance over time
following the intervention. Analyses included a Repeated-measures Multivariate Analysis of
Variance (MANOVA) to assess for main effects and interactions. Results: Results indicated
three significant interactions. First, the participants APFT scores has a significant interaction of
F(1, 93)=4.278, p=.041. Second, the participants subjective rate of performance has a
significant interaction of F(1, 93)=4.138, p=.045. Finally, the participants push-up scores has a
significant interaction of F(1,93)=6.073, p=.061. Further detail can be provided as to the
specifics of these interactions through post-hoc tests. Discussion: The results are consistent
with previous research suggesting acceptance based emotion regulation strategies may
provide advantages over suppression techniques across a number of domains (e.g., pain
tolerance, distress about pain, mobility, emotional recovery). Results from this study may have
implications for improved sport and military performance.
39. Using Implicit Measures to predict known groups: An IRAP v IAT comparison
Primary Topic: Other

Subtopic: IRAP
Aidan Hart, D.Clinpsy, University of Lincoln, UK
Ross Bartels, Ph.D, University of Lincoln, UK
Recent years have seen an increase in the use of implicit measures to assess hard to access
beliefs/covert behaviour processes. In the field of Forensic Clinical Psychology there has been a
growing interest in the use of such measures to assess group differences in offence supportive
attitudes between offenders and non-offenders. Such uses can be problematic due to
potential overlaps in the groups, such as shared pro-offending attitudes or undetected
delinquency in the control group. The current authors believe that more work is needed to
demonstrate that such measures can actually differentiate between groups where we would
expect minimal overlap before their use is extended to such applied settings. In order to carry
out such a test 183 self-identifying heterosexuals (m=91, f= 92) completed both an IRAP and an
IAT that broadly measured their attitudes to the opposite and same sex in terms of sexual
attractiveness and unattractiveness. The ability of each measure to differentiate the groups
(male v female) was analysed using logistic regression and discriminative function analysis. The
differences between the two measures and their relative strengths and weaknesses are
discussed.
40. Mindful Practice for Air Traffic Controllers: Application of Mindfulness and Contextual
Behavioral Science to promote safety in Aviation.
Subtopic: Mindfulness practice, Aviation, Safety
Arianna Gatti, Private Practice
Valentina Villa
Annalisa Caretti
Alessandro Musetti
Gianluca Castelnuovo
Gian Mauro Manzoni
Emanuele Cappella
Silvia Ruggiero
Chiara Spatola
Background: Aviation statistics, both in the military and civil field, indicates that approximately
85% of incident reports include a mention of loss of Situational Awareness that lead to an
inadequate decision making and inappropriate actions. Method: In the present exploratory
study we test the feasibility of a mindfulness-based intervention in a sample of Military Air
Traffic Controllers, to promote through mindfulness practice an improvement in Situational
Awareness, considered the core requirement for an effective performance of both pilots and
Air Traffic Controllers. Recent literature suggests that it may be identified a strong link
between the enhancement of the situational awareness of an individual and mindfulness
practice. Results and Discussion: The aim of this preliminary study was to test the efficacy of
the intervention in the development of a flexible expertise that lead to a more effective
decision-making and the enrichment of the behavioral repertoire.
41. Solutions for the (near) Future: Improve Safety in Aviation with contextual Behavioral
Science Technological Application
Subtopic: Safety, Aviation, Multiple exemplar Training
Arianna Gatti, Private Practice
Alessandro Musetti
Valentina Villa
Nicola Maffini
Giada Pietrabissa
Martina Ceccarini
Chiara Spatola
Annalisa Caretti
Gian Mauro Manzoni
Background: Recent literatures in the field of Aviation Safety indicate that the focus of future
research programs should move from technological development to the interaction with
increasingly complex systems that will be likely the future of both military and civil aviation.
The safety question no longer concerns aircraft industries that have reached levels of security
still unthinkable in other fields. Therefore Behavior-Based Safety interventions are to be
considered among the most effective strategies, focused on the behavior of the pilot and all
the people involved at different levels in managing efficiently these systems. Contextual
Behavioral Science and behavioral interventions more in general are focused on directly
changing behaviors with social impact. The opportunity to translate contextual behavioral
interventions to the field of aviation safety is directly aimed at widen the effect of traditional
intervention with the same efficacy but better efficiency and sustainability. The use of flight
checklists is considered a core element to reduce workload of the pilots and increase the
standardization of operating procedures. Interventions based on the application of Applied
Behavior Analysis techniques are to be considered among the most effective in promoting an
appropriate use of checklists, since focused on the behavior of the single pilot as well as all of
the people involved at different levels in flight safety. Method: The aim of the present study
was to examine the effectiveness of using contingent and specific feedbacks to promote the
accuracy in checklist use in a sample of General Aviation pilots. Results and Discussion: In this
preliminary study we tested the feasibility of a contextual behavioral approach to improve
performance in checklist use both in directly trained and trained flying phases.
42. Disordered eating and body image flexibility in women with lipoedema
Subtopic: lipoedema, eating disorders, body image dissatisfaction, body image flexibility
Joanna E. Dudek, University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Pawel Ostaszewski, Ph.D., University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Wojciech Bialaszek, Ph.D., University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Lipoedema (lipedema) is a chronic disease which is very often misdiagnosed as obesity and
therefore mistreated. In lipoedema fat accumulates in the lower parts of the body and cannot
be lost through diet or intensive exercise and in obesity which leads to learned helplessness,
depression, body dissatisfaction, anxiety and feelings of shame and guilt as well as
development of disordered eating. Lipoedema is a disease affecting all women irrespective of
their body size (also observed in patients with anorexia nervosa). In our study we wanted to
investigate what psychological factors are connected to disordered eating of women with
lipoedema. Our aim was to find out whether contextual behavioral approach might propose
any useful interventions for preventing development of eating disorders in the population
suffering from lipoedema. We conducted an internet-based cross-sectional study. Participants
were 120 women suffering from lipoedema, mostly from the USA, the UK and Australia.
Statistical analyses showed that irrespective of symptom severity and BMI, body image
flexibility is an important factor related to disordered eating in women with lipoedema.
43. The Impact of Age, Gender, and BMI on Thought Control, Food Acceptance, and Eating
Behavior
Subtopic: Obesity; Emotion Regulation
Kristin D. Whelan, M.A., Alliant International University, San Diego
Kimberly A. Corp, MFT., Alliant International University, San Diego
Shawnee L. Brew, B.A., Alliant International University, San Diego
Taryn L. Gammon, M.A., Alliant International University, San Diego
Jill A. Stoddard, Ph.D., Alliant International University, San Diego
Background: Contemporary research indicates a relationship between cognition, emotion

regulation and eating. Research also commonly supports gender and age discrepancies in
emotion regulation. For example, studies postulate that women report more negative affect
and an increased tendency to ruminate, catastrophize, and reappraise negative emotion than
men (Thomsen, D.K., Mehlsen, M.Y., Viidik, A., Sommerlund, B., & Zachariae, R., 2005; NolenHoeksma, A., 2011). Womens use of emotional acceptance appears to remain stable with age,
whereas emotional suppression increases with age for women but not men. Older adults
report less negative affect than youth. Finally, studies suggest a higher prevalence of food
craving, cognitive dietary restraint, and disinhibition of eating among women compared to
men (Alexander, J & Tepper, B., 1995; Lafay, T. et al., 2001). The extent to which these age and
gender related findings extend to maladaptive cognitive processes and unhealthy food related
behaviors remain unclear. Method: The current study uses the Thought Control Questionnaire
(TCQ), The Food Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (FAAQ) and the Three-factor Eating
Questionnaire (TFEQ) to examine how various thought control strategies, experiential
acceptance of food-related internal experience, and relationships between cognitive restraint

of eating, disinhibition, and hunger differ based on age, gender, and BMI. Recruitment of 180
normal weight and overweight/obese males and females of varying ages is proceeding (current
N=132). Results: It is expected that younger age will be associated with higher levels of worry
and social thought control, and older age will be associated with higher levels of food
acceptance. It is also hypothesized that women and overweight/obese will have higher mean
levels of cognitive restraint, disinhibition, perceived hunger, rumination, and punishment
thought control strategies than men or normal weights, whereas women and normal weights
will have higher levels of food-related acceptance and reappraisal thought control strategies
than men or overweight/obese. Correlations and t-tests will be used to investigate the
relationships between age, gender and weight on the TCQ, FAAQ and TFEQ. Discussion: Results
from this study will help to increase understanding of the impact that gender, age, and weight
have on emotion regulation, preoccupation with body, food, and weight as well as unhealthy
eating patterns. Findings may illuminate important considerations for the development of
prevention and treatment programs that target the global obesity epidemic.
44. The acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation: A review of the
literature
Subtopic: Smoking cessation
Lam Ching Yee, MPhil, MN, BN, RN, The Open University of Hong Kong
MAK YIM WAH, PhD, RN, RM, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Background: A common strategy that clients use for quitting smoking is to avoid physical
cravings and urges. However, evidence indicated that higher experiential avoidance is
associated with higher levels of substance use. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is
an emerging contextual-focused intervention in managing psychological or behavioral health
problems. It helps to increase an individuals psychological flexibility, and encourages an
individual to accept and experience internal events non-judgmentally. However, the efficacy of
ACT for smoking cessation is less documented. In this review, we assess deliverables, feasibility
and the effectiveness of ACT for smoking cessation. Method: A systematic search of relevant
English language literature was conducted in computerized databases, including Pubmed,
Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ProQuest, using keywords smoking cessation, tobacco
cessation, smoking reduction, quit smok*, acceptance and commitment therapy and ACT, with
date restriction from 1900 to March 2015. With reference to the PRISMA statement, abstracts
meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed and full papers for selected abstracts were then
retrieved and assessed. Result: A total of 17 studies were included in this review. The use of
ACT in smoking cessation program has increased gradually in adult populations. It could be
delivered in different formats, for example, telephone-delivered, web-based, smartphone
applications, group therapy or individual therapy. Majority of the studies were conducted in
Western countries with only one exception from Hong Kong, though it was a study protocol.
The efficacy of ACT was examined independently and was compared with medication
treatment or other behavioral therapy. ACT appeared to be a feasible and applicable therapy
for smokers in tobacco cessation and promising quit rate were reported. Discussion: This
review revealed the updated information about ACT and smoking cessation. This presentation
will inform attendees about the feasibility of different formats of ACT for smoking cessation
and its efficacy, and hopefully help to identify implications for practice and to suggest
directions for future research relating to ACT and smoking cessation.
45. Psychological inflexibility and anxiety in greek-cypriot adolescents

Subtopic: Adolescents
Marios Theodorou, Ph.D. Student, University of Cyprus
Georgia Panayiotou, Ph.D., University of Cyprus, Center of Applied Neuroscience
Klavdia Neophytou, University of Cyprus, Center of Applied Neurosience
Background: Previous research supports the association between psychological difficulties and
psychological inflexibility (e.g. Hayes et al. 2006). One of the fundamental principles of
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999) is to help people
disentangle from inflexible and rigid rules that are not helpful. A considerable body of research
focuses on the role of psychological flexibility as a basic aspect of health (e.g. Kashdan, &
Rottenberg, 2010). The aim of this study was to examine the relation between anxiety, and
related constructs (e.g. Behavioral Inhibition/ BIS) with psychological inflexibility in
adolescents. Method: Seven hundred twenty one adolescent students, (Mean Age: 15.5, 64%
female) completed a series of questionnaires (Acceptance and Fusion Questionnaire for
Youth/AFQ-Y8, Social Phobia Anxiety Inventory-23/SPAI-23, ehavioral nhibition System &
Behavioral Activation System scales/ BIS/BAS for children, Social Phobia Screening
Questionnaire for Children and adolescents/SPSQ-C and the the revised version of the Screen
for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders/SCARED-R. Results: Psychological Inflexibility
(AFQ-Y8) was positively related with all anxiety measures (SPAI-23 different score, BIS, and
SCARED-R subscales). An independent t-test analysis showed that high socially anxious
participants (based on SPAI-23 and SPSQ-C cut-off criteria) scored significantly higher than low
socially anxious participants in Psychological Inflexibility. Additionally, female students scored
higher than male students in Psychological Inflexibility. Discussion: These results replicate
previous findings on the relation between anxiety and psychological inflexibility, and indicate
that this association is already established in adolescence. The potential role of inflexibility in
the etiology and maintenance of anxiety is discussed.
46. Training "barefoot counselors" in Afghan displaced persons camps

Subtopic: traumatic stress, domestic violence
Norman Gustavson, Ph.D., PARSA a US based International NGO
Sabour Mansouri, M.D., APMO, an National Afghan NGO
During the thirty years of armed conflict affecting Afghanistan, from the war between the
Russian backed government ("Russian Invasion, 1978), to the Mujaheddin civil war that
followed and the Taliban takeover of the government that lasted until 2001, and the ongoing
war against insurgents and Taliban groups over six million Afghans fled to Pakistan, some two
million to Iran and to many other countries. Since 2001 these refugees have returned in their
millions and there is a continuing flow of "internally displaced persons" coming into the major
urban areas from the conflict zones around the country. Some of these camps house over
25,000 people and many have become permanent settlements existing for over a decade. The
residents of these Internally Displaced Persons Camps "IDPs" are marginalized people who
seldom find homes and jobs outside these camps. they live in marginal conditions in mud and
canvas huts with as many as a dozen people in a one room "dwelling". Chronic poverty,
preasure to participate in illegal and marginal ways to support families, infiltration by Talib and
other insurgents lead to chronic threats and vilolent behavior within and between families and
groups in these camps. Resources are extremely marginal while physical, social and
psychological needs are significant.
War Child Canada is working in camps in Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar to provide "child safe
spaces", human rights education and legal aid to residents and has innaguarated this program
to train community members in basic counseling skills and to develop referral resources. Our
program provides training to WC staff and then to selected men and women in the camps who
are supported in becoming a first line of mental health/ counseling intervention in the camps.
Our program design includes a very basic orientation to rft and uses the ACT Matrix as a model
for exploring personal and family problems, sorting out maladaptive avoidance behaviors and
developing a values based program of behavior change to support clients and their families.
This training is in its first iteration at the three named sites and is currently working to support
the first cohorts of counselors in providing direct services and making appropriate referrals.
47. Predicting dishonest behaviors in the academic context

Primary Topic: Relational Frame Theory
Subtopic: IRAP, academic dishonesty, Theory of Planned Behavior
Lidia Baran M.A., University of Silesia in Katowice
The problem of dishonest behaviors has become an increasingly significant issue in the area of
the social psychology not only because of alarming numbers of dishonesty in academic, politic
and interpersonal context but also because of its complex nature. Therefore, ability to
successfully identify factors which influence individual decision to cheat is crucial to the
process of creating effective dishonesty prevention and educational programs. The aim of the
present study is to answer question about possible predictors of intention to commit an
academic fraud. By combining elements of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and implicit
attitude measured from Relational Frame Theory perspective in the research plan author
intended to maximized the level of explained variation in intention to and actual cheating
behavior and investigate possible relation between those constructs. Student participants
were invited to the laboratory in order to test new computer based methods measuring
cognitive abilities. The first task gave participants a chance to solve a given exercises either in
honest or dishonest way and the second one introduce them to the Implicit Relational
Assessment Procedure (IRAP) concerning academic dishonesty. Finally participants were given
a questionnaire measuring moral obligation, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms,
attitude and intention toward cheating. Incorporating results obtain in the recent study into
direct interventions in the academic context may increase their effectiveness and allows
practitioners to better understand the phenomenon of the academic dishonesty.
48. Exploring attitudes towards gender and science using the IRAP & the IAT
Subtopic: IRAP
Lynn Farrell, B.A., University College Dublin
Andy Cochrane, Ph.D., Maynooth University
Louise McHugh, Ph.D., University College Dublin
Gendered beliefs and stereotypes can have a pervasive influence on the lives of males and
females, influencing both behaviour and attitudes. There is a stereotypically masculine image
related to the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), with men often
more strongly associated with these areas than women. Even when individuals claim to hold
gender-neutral beliefs about STEM, research has found they may still hold gender-biased
implicit beliefs. The issue of womens under-representation in STEM, in combination with
gendered STEM stereotypes, is a global concern having been found in many countries across
the world. Two implicit measures, the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) and the
Implicit Association Test (IAT), were compared to assess attitudes towards women and
science-based versus liberal arts college subjects. The IAT indicated the hypothesised
significant men-science, women-arts bias for both males and females, with a stronger effect
for females. The IRAP, however, produced a more complex pattern of results, with females
showing a tendency to pair men with science and with liberal arts, whereas the males showed
a more neutral effect. A follow up study aimed to investigate whether manipulation of the
IRAPs stimuli (i.e. using a more subtle label phrase) influenced any resultant bias particularly
among females. The findings demonstrate the IRAPs ability to provide more specific detail,
such as the directionality of bias. These findings also have implications for those concerned
with addressing the worldwide gender imbalance in STEM.
49. Comparing emotional regulation difficulties in women with premenstrual syndrome and
normal women in Tehran city.
Primary Topic: Theoretical and philosophical foundations
Subtopic: mindfulness
Mahboube Ahmadi, M.S. in clinical psychology, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan branch
Fatemeh Zargar, assistant professor in clinical psychology, Kashan University in Medical
Sciences
This study aimed to compare the skills of mindfulness and emotion regulation ability in women
with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and normal women in Tehran city. This is a
case- control study. Women who referred to psychiatric clinics and offices of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists at the second half of 2014 were selected by PMS screening questionnaire. Fifty
women with PMS symptoms and 50 women without PMS symptoms filled out difficulties in
emotion regulation scale (DERS) that had 6 subscales (no acceptance of Emotional Responses,
difficulties engaging in goal-directed, impulse control difficulties, lack of emotional awareness,
limited access to emotion regulation strategies and lack of emotional clarity). Data analysis
using multivariate analysis of variance (MONOVA) showed significant differences in all
subscales of DERS except in lack of emotional awareness and lack of emotional clarity. It can be
concluded that women with PMS have weaker emotional acceptance, goal-directed behavior,
impulse control and emotional regulation strategies than non-infected women.
Thursday, 16 July - Poster Session #2
1. A Systematic review of ACT for Chronic Pain: Outcome measures and delivery from a
physical function perspective
Subtopic: Physiotherapy; ACT; Interprofessional Pain
Interdisciplinary
Cleo Barrable, M.A., MSc., University of Brighton
Guy Canby, University of Brighton
Rehabilitation;
Chronic
Pain;
BACKGROUND: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for chronic pain management
(CPM) focuses on increasing function and engagement in valued life rather than pain
reduction. Physiotherapists clearly have an invaluable role in helping to achieve this aim.
Furthermore, since the mid-90s, research and evidence-based guidelines have stated that pain
management programmes (PMPs) should be delivered by an interdisciplinary team, with the
physiotherapist as an integral member. An increasing number of studies are evaluating the
efficacy of ACT in CPM, but their outcome measures and delivery methods have not been
analysed from a physical function perspective. Therefore this systematic review will identify
randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and RCT-protocols, that investigate ACT-basedinterventions within an adult non-oncological chronic pain population, with the primary
objective being to determine: (1) how physical function is measured and establish if it is (a)
consistently selected as a primary outcome and/or (b) comprehensively measured (e.g. self
report, performance-based, both); (2) how ACT is being delivered and establish if
physiotherapists are involved. A secondary objective is to consider whether planned research
(i.e. RCT-protocols) differ within these areas as this may affect the recommendations made for
future research. METHODS: An extensive systematic search across 12 databases, 2 clinical trial
registries and 2 websites identified 2208 trials, 20 (16 RCTs; 4 Protocols) were found eligible
for inclusion. A pre-specified data extraction tool was used across all studies and protocols
were analysed as a separate subgroup for comparison. RCTs were assessed for Quality and
Risk-of-Bias (RoB). RESULTS: Half the RCTs suffered from high RoB. Overall 9 different physical
function outcome measures were identified, 8 were self-report format. Half of the trials
included one of these measures as a primary outcome. All of the RCTs used psychologist(s) to
administer the ACT-intervention, with 3/16 trials additionally using a pain physician to
administer 2 sessions, but no trials included physiotherapist(s). Protocols proposed only selfreport measures, but 3/4 planned physiotherapist involvement in their treatment and/or
control. DISCUSSION: The research evaluating the efficacy of ACT in CPM does not
comprehensively and effectively measure physical function. Furthermore, against what is
recommended, the interventions delivered were mostly unidisciplinary and did not involve
physiotherapists. The lack of an interdisciplinary approach may challenge the generalisability
of findings to those PMPs that follow recommendations. Planned research is focusing on
physiotherapy-delivered treatments, but continues to restrict outcome measurement to selfreport. It is recommended that future RCTs include performance-based measures alongside
self-report modalities, for a more comprehensive assessment of the important domain of
physical functioning.
2. Investigating the Relationship Between Psychological Flexibility and Health Behaviors

Among Dieters
Subtopic: Dieting, Psychological Flexibility
Jessica Borushok, M.A., Bowling Green State University
Robert Carels, Ph.D., East Carolina University
Background: Obesity is a prominent health concern that affects nearly two-thirds of U.S.
adults. Health professionals are especially alarmed by the prevalence of obesity because of the
associated preventable chronic health risks, including cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes,
and cancer (Pi-Sunyer, 2009). Thus, researchers have focused on identifying specific factors
related to successful weight loss and health behavior change. One growing area of research
examines the relationship between psychological flexibility and health behaviors in an effort to
identify factors that impact health behavior change and healthy lifestyles. Method: Data were
collected through an online survey from self-reported dieting (i.e. engaging in active attempt
to lose weight) adults (N= 196; 74% Female; 78.4% Caucasian; mean age: 37.85, SD: 12.23,
range = 19-74) in a community, non-treatment seeking (i.e. not using surgical, bariatric, and/or
formal behavioral interventions to lose weight) sample. All participants resided in the United
States. They completed measures of weight-related psychological flexibility, eating and
physical activity habits and beliefs, as well as dieting and self-monitoring practices. Results:
Preliminary tests were conducted to examine relationships among demographic
characteristics. Significant relationships were included as covariates in subsequent analyses.
Hypotheses examining the relationship between weight-related psychological flexibility and
various health-related behaviors among dieters were analyzed using hierarchical regression
analyses where covariates were added in Step 1 and weight-related psychological flexibility
was added in Step 2. Discussion: Findings highlight relationship between weight-related

psychological flexibility and dieting variables, and suggest psychological flexibility may be an
important factor that influences an individuals success in creating and maintaining positive
health behavior habits when dieting. Further research aimed at interventions that increase
psychological flexibility and can be disseminated to large communities is important. Keywords:
Diet, Psychological Flexibility, Health
3. Study protocol: Group based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for adolescents with
functional somatic syndromes randomized trial.
Subtopic: Adolescents, functional disorders
Karen Hansen Kallese, MD, Ph.D. student, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, The Research
Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics
Charlotte Ulrikka Rask, MD, associate professor, Ph.D., Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark,
The Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics
Andreas Schrder, MD, PhD, Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics,
Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
Rikard Wicksell, Ph.D., Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Per Fink, professor, Ph.D., Dr.med.sc., Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and
Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
Background Over the last 3 decades, an increasing number of adolescents report recurrent
functional somatic symptoms, i.e. somatic symptoms not attributable to any known
conventionally defined physical disease. Epidemiological studies illustrate that five to ten
percent experience persistent symptoms and reduced functioning and may receive diagnoses
for functional somatic syndromes (FSS) such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia
(FM), recurrent abdominal pain/irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or idiopathic pain syndrome,
characterized by severe disability and reduced quality of life. Unfortunately, despite the high
need for care, there is yet a lack of empirically supported treatments for these adolescents.
Aim The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of group based Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT) for adolescents with severe FSS. Method and design A total of 120
adolescents aged 15-19 years and diagnosed with severe FSS will be assessed and randomized
to either: 1. Standard treatment: a single consultation with a psychiatrist and treatment as
usual or 2. Standard treatment plus manualized ACT based group therapy. The ACT program is
specifically developed for adolescents with severe FSS and consists of 9 modules (i.e. 27 hours
in total) and one follow up meeting (3 hours). Self-report questionnaires will be administered
at baseline and 2, 4, 5, 8 and 12 months after baseline with 5 months as end of treatment
and 12 months as primary endpoint. The primary outcome variable is physical health, as
assessed by SF36. Secondary outcome variables include symptom interference, stress, quality
of life and global improvement. Process measures are illness perception, illness related
behavior and psychological flexibility. In addition, physiological stress response will be
measured by heart rate variability (HRV), hair-cortisol and inflammatory response (e.g. IL6,
TNF-, high-sensitive CRP, IL1, neopterin, CD163, HO1, MCP1 but also newer proteo-based
markers) at baseline and primary endpoint. Discussion This is one of the first larger studies
which aims to develop effective, evidence based treatment for adolescents with severe,
disabling chronic FSS. Objective markers for physiological stress response will increase our
knowledge of FSS and the potential process of change. If the treatment is effective this may
result in significant improvement in the well-being and overall quality of life of these young
patients as well as substantial reductions in health-related costs
4. The role of psychological inflexibility in the relationship between life hassles and
depressive symptoms in adolescence
Ana Xavier, Ph.D. Student, Cognitive and Behavioral Center for Research and Intervention,
University of Coimbra, Portugal
Jos Pinto Gouveia, Ph.D., Cognitive and Behavioral Center for Research and Intervention,
University of Coimbra, Portugal
Marina Cunha, Ph.D., Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Coimbra, Portugal; Cognitive and
Behavioral Center for Research and Intervention
Background: Empirical evidence demonstrates that psychological inflexibility is a major issue of

social and emotional functioning in several mental disorders. It is also well-established that
everyday life hassles are associated with psychological maladjustment and depression.
However, there are still unanswered questions about the role of psychological inflexibility in
the relationship between recent life hassles and depression among adolescents. Method: This
study aims to test whether psychological inflexibility mediates the relationship between life
hassles and depressive symptoms. The sample consists of 787 adolescents (53% female
adolescents) aged between 12 and 18 years old (M = 14.99, SD = 1.76), collected from middle
and secondary schools from centre region of Portugal. Participants answered the following
self-report questionnaires: Daily Hassles Microsystems Scale (DHMS), Avoidance and Fusion
Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results:
Descriptive analysis showed that girls presented higher levels of everyday school and peer
hassles, psychological inflexibility and depressive symptoms than boys. Age and years of
education were positively correlated with daily school hassles and with depressive symptoms.
There were significant correlations between life hassles and psychological inflexibility. Daily
school and peer hassles were moderately associated with depressive symptoms. There was a
significant correlation between psychological inflexibility and depressive symptoms. Results
from path analysis showed that the model explained 39% of depressive symptoms variance. A
bootstrap analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of psychological inflexibility in the
relationship between life hassles and depressive symptoms, even when socio-demographic
variables were controlled for. Discussion: These results indicate that daily school and peer
hassles indirectly predicted depressive symptoms, through their effect in psychological
inflexibility. It seems that adolescents who perceived more daily school and peer hassles tend
to deal with it in an inflexible and avoidant way, which in turn impacts upon increased levels of
depressive symptoms.
5. ACT for OCD: a single case study of a 13 years old child with compulsive hoarding
Subtopic: ACT, OCD, Children
Angela Valli, IESCUM (Italy)
Giovambattista Presti, M.D., Ph.D., Universit Kore, Enna (Italy)
Compulsive Hoarding is characterised by excessively save items that others may view as
worthless and have persistent difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions (APA, 2014).
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a commonly implemented therapeutic intervention for
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and also for compulsive hoarding. However, third wave
therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are increasingly recognized as
treatments of choice for OCD (Bluett E.J. et al., 2014). The aim of this work is to present the
rationale for using ACT and the application to a 13 years old child showing compulsive
hoarding. Rather than aiming to restructure problematic beliefs related to hoarding, we tried
with the help of an ACT protocol to promote psychological flexibility, the ability to take
distance from problematic thoughts (cognitive defusion) and to accept internal experiences
(feelings, thoughts, urges, bodily sensations) in the service of decreasing the aversive control
of anxiety and obsessions and increasing personal values-oriented committed actions. To
investigate the effectiveness of therapy, direct measures of hoarding behaviors and the
following psychometric tools DAWBA (Goodman et al., 2000), CBCL (Achenbach and Rescorla
2001), AFQ-Y (Greco and Baer, 2008), CAMM (Greco, Smith and Baer, 2008) were used at pre
and post-treatment intervals.
6. Does contextualizing AAQ make it more sensible to clinical changes? An exploratory

analysis of two ways of using it
Subtopic: AAQ, Experiential avoidance
Annalisa Oppo, Sigmund Freud University, IULM University (Milan, Italy)
Cristina Rizzo, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Concetta Messina, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Martina Leuzzi, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
AAQ is a measure of experiential avoidance which is extensively used in clinical studies. The
interest on this measure comes from the fact that experiential avoidance/ psychological
inflexibility is of significant importance in relation to the development, maintenance, and
treatment of psychopathology. Thus testing its sensitivity to changes in the measured
dimension is important to understand some aspects of its psychometric properties. Two
hundred undergraduate students attending a class on personality were randomly assigned to
one of two groups: AAQ and in-context-AAQ. Eight mindfulness exercises were delivered at the
end of 8 different lessons at the same time to all the subjects. Before each mindfulness
exercise subjects were asked to complete the AAQs. Instructions on the in-context-AAQ sheet
required the participant to write down on top of the page the thought that was particularly
worrying him/her in the last period and to complete the AAQ in the light of the worries
expressed. He/she could tear the thought reported on top of the sheet, once the responses
were marked. A significant statistical difference emerged from the fourth evaluation on for the
in-context-AAQ group with respect to baseline while the AAQ group remained stable. In the incontext-AAQ group the score differed showing more flexibility. While other variables could
account for this statistical difference, it is nevertheless interesting to note such a difference on
the same instrument under the same conditions, except for the way it was administered.
Implication for future research to deepen into this difference will be discussed
7. Evaluating the effect of a 3-days Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshop on

therapists' psychological flexibility
Subtopic: Psychological Flexibility
Arianna Ristallo, Universit IULM, Milan and IESCUM, Italy
Massimo Cesareo, Universit IULM, Milan and IESCUM, Italy
Francesco Dell'Orco, Universit IULM, Milan and IESCUM, Italy
Psychological flexibility and acceptance are relevant in promoting psychological health. Few
studies provide data on therapist skill development and personal benefit for therapists related
to receiving ACT training. The present study investigates the effects of a 3-days intensive ACT
workshop on clinical psychologists in training. Six self report measures - Cognitive Fusion
Questionnaire (Gillanders et al., 2014), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II Italian
Version (Pennato et al. , 2013), Experience Questionnaire (Fresco et al. , 2007), Depression
Anxiety and Stress Scale - Italian Version (Severino & Haynes, 2010) and Symptom Checklist-90
(Derogatis, 2011) - were administered to 170 Italian psychologists from different part of Italy
(age 24-56, mean=30.98 sd=4.33, 88.2% female, 11.8% male). Participants completed the
questionnaires (paper pencil form) before and after the workshop. A 3-months follow up was
administered online. Among the therapists 128 (75%) completed the first two evaluations and
among them 69 (54%) completed the online follow up. An increase in the indices of
psychological flexibility is expected among the therapists after completing workshop. Results
will be discussed.
8. Is less effective? A preliminary evaluation of the effects of a comprised ACT-treatment for

longstanding pain
Subtopic: Longstanding pain
Bjrn Liliequist, Lic Psych, M.Sc, Karolinska University Hospital
Martin Jonsj, Ph.D.-Student, Karolinska Institutet
Mike Kemani, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet
Camilla Wiwe-Lipsker, Ph.D-Student, Karolinska Institutet
Rikard Wicksell, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet
Introduction and objectives Since 2001, an ACT-based behavioral medicine treatment model
for longstanding debilitating pain has been developed at the Karolinska University Hospital. A
number of RCT's have shown the efficacy of the treatment model in increasing functioning and
quality of life. However, a subgroup of patients choose not to participate in treatment. In our
clinical experience, a number of these patients decline treatment due to the extensiveness of
the intervention, i.e. these patients prioritize engagement in valued activities such as work,
school etc before treatment. A less extensive version of the treatment program may be of
benefit for these patients who, though already engaged in some valued areas of life, are still
affected by pain and pain-related problems in other areas. There is a lack of studies evaluating
the effect of comprised ACT interventions for longstanding, debilitating pain. The main aim of
this ongoing study is to evaluate whether a short format treatment program is effective in
increasing functioning in patients who otherwise would not receive treatment for their painrelated problems. Method Treatment consists of 5-7 weekly individual ACT sessions, delivered
by a psychologist (4-6) and by a physician (1) respectively. In addition, parents to children and
adolescents in treatment receive 2 ACT sessions delivered by a psychologist and 1 session with
a physician. An open case trial design is used, with assessments at pre- and post-treatment as
well as at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. The primary outcome measures are pain disability
(PDI), pain interference (PII). Secondary outcome measures include psychological flexibility
(Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale, PIPS). Results and conclusion Data collection is
ongoing. Treatment evaluations of outcome will be presented, and clinical implications of
these findings will be discussed.
9. Examining the Relations Between Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Traumatic Stress, and
Psychological Flexibility in Male Bhutanese Refugees
Subtopic: Psychological Flexibility
Carly Baetz, J.D., M.Phil., The Graduate Center, CUNY
Victoria Baptiste, B.A., University of Vermont
Jeff Winer, M.S., University of Massachusetts Amherst
Sheau-Yan Ho, B.A., University of Vermont
Emily Pichler, B.A., University of Vermont
Valerie Harder, M.H.S., Ph.D., University of Vermont
Prior research has shown that psychological flexibility is an important predictor of general
psychological health and well-being. In refugee populations, psychological flexibility may also
constitute an important factor in overcoming trauma (including a history of torture),
resettlement, and acculturative stressors. However, to date there is little research on how
psychological flexibility is related to mental health symptoms in refugee populations. The
current study will begin to fill this gap in the literature by examining the relationship between
psychological flexibility and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic traumatic stress
among Bhutanese refugee men referred to a community health clinic. Participants included 9
male Bhutanese refugees enrolled in an open-format psychotherapy group for adjustment
disorder. Treatment was rooted in an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) framework,
with the goal of enhancing overall psychological well-being. Baseline measurements included
the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) to
assess for depressive, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptom severity. Psychological
flexibility was also assessed at baseline using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II
(AAQ-II). Results will include descriptive data and correlation analyses to assess the
relationship between acceptance, willingness to pursue valued experiences, and symptom
severity. These findings will provide critical, and otherwise unknown, information about the
role of psychological flexibility in relation to mental health symptoms in Bhutanese male
refugees. These findings will also highlight the implications of using ACT in a group
psychotherapy setting to address these symptoms in male refugee populations. More broadly,
the results may be used to inform and improve the treatment of mental health problems in
refugees and survivors of trauma and torture.
10. ACT for Depression and Anxiety: Group Therapy with College Students and Community
Members
Subtopic: Depression and Anxiety
Cassandra Pentzien, B.A., Bowling Green State University
Jessica Borushok, M.A., Bowling Green State University
Jennifer Lackey, M.A., Bowling Green State University
Kelly E. Amrhein, M.A., Bowling Green State University
Dryw Dworsky, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
A 10-week therapy group using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for depression and
anxiety was modified and implemented at the Bowling Green State University (BGSU)
Psychological Services Center. Based originally on an intervention created for Cornell
Universitys Counseling and Psychological Services by Matthew Boone and Cory Myler, the
group served undergraduate and graduate students from BGSU as well as nonstudent
members of the community. The intervention combined didactic elements, mindfulness
exercises, experiential activities, group discussion, and homework. Most worksheets and
handouts were adapted from ACT Made Simple and The Happiness Trap. The first six sessions
focused on the processes of psychological flexibility, while the remaining sessions encouraged
group members to integrate these processes into their own lives in the service of mobilizing
toward values-driven committed action. Group members were administered survey measures
before participating in the intervention and after their completion to assess psychological
flexibility and life satisfaction. This poster will examine treatment outcomes and discuss
potential differences in outcomes between community versus college student groups.
Additionally, the practical challenges and barriers that are associated with the implementation
of an ACT group protocol with college students and community members will be discussed,
including the unique barriers that arise with recruiting and integrating community members
into groups with traditional college students.
11. Parent counseling based on Acceptance and Commitment therapy: A pilot study
Subtopic: Parents of children with developmental and/or psychological problems
Denise Bodden, Ph.d., Radboud University Nijmegen, Behavioural Science Institute
Denise Matthijssen, Altrecht, Division of Youth
Research on the effectiveness of ACT as a parent counseling therapy is scarce. In a study by

Blackledge and Hayes (2006), it was demonstrated that after a 2-day group ACT workshop for
parents with children diagnosed with autism that parents improved. Additionally, Coyne,
McHugh and Martinez (2011) have described how ACT can be employed in families. Both
concluded that additional research is necessary to investigate effectiveness of ACT parent
programs. In this pilot study, ACT was delivered as a parent counseling therapy in order to
provide the parents new skills in dealing with their childrens interaction problems by
increasing psychological flexibility. The ACT parent counseling consisted of eight group-therapy
sessions with six to eight parents. The goal of this quasi experimental research was to
investigate whether this ACT parent program led to an increase in psychological flexibility,
parental competence, positive parenting skills and the quality of the parent-child interaction.
In this presentation, the content of the ACT parent program will be presented, as well as the
effects of this program based on 50 parents self-reports. Results suggest that ACT parent
counseling is a promising intervention.
12. A Pilot Study of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention addressing

emotion regulation in individuals with Substance Use Disorder and Borderline Personality
Disorder
Subtopic: Emotion regulation, Substance use disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder
Dr Kate Hall, DPsych, Deakin University
Dr Angela Simpson, DPsych, Deakin University
Ms Romy Briner, Deakin University
Associate Professor Petra Staiger, Deakin University
Ms Jane Morton, Spectrum Personality Disorder Service
Professor Dan Lubman, Turning Point Eastern Health & Monash University
Background: While around 1-2% of the general population meet criteria for Borderline
Personality Disorder (BPD), up to 65% of substance users in treatment meet criteria for BPD. It
is common for these individuals to engage in impulsive, maladaptive behaviours (e.g. risk
taking, self-harm). The severity of emotional and behavioural symptoms in these treatment
seeking individuals present considerable challenges for addiction treatment services.
Treatment studies highlight that clients with co-occurring SUD and BPD have higher rates of
relapse, treatment noncompliance and poorer outcomes than those with either diagnosis
alone. These clients pose considerable challenges to treatment services and the currently
available treatments are not feasible in real-life alcohol and other drug (AOD) settings. There is
a clear need for effective treatment options which can occur within the context of alcohol and
other drug (AOD) treatment services. Method: A pilot evaluation of an individually
administered acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based intervention for treatmentseekers with co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and borderline personality disorder
(BPD) traits was conducted. The study investigated whether 12 sessions of the ACT-based
intervention improved AOD and BPD outcomes, and emotion regulation skills. It also examined
the post-treatment associations between these outcomes. The sample consisted of 23 adult
treatment-seekers (17 women and 6 men) attending psychological counselling at an outpatient
AOD service in Melbourne, Australia. Results: Following the ACT-based treatment, participants
demonstrated a significant reduction in the severity of BPD symptoms, as well as significant
improvements in both ACT-related and emotion regulation skills. There was a significant
reduction in drug use, but not alcohol use. Negligible relationships were demonstrated
between levels of AOD use with both ACT-related and emotion regulation skills. There were
significant inverse post-treatment relationships between the severity of BPD symptoms and
level of ACT-related skills, as well as between the severity of BPD symptoms and emotion
regulation skills. Discussion: The outcomes of the present study suggested that the ACT-based
intervention could be an effective and practical treatment option for co-occurring SUD and
BPD when delivered in outpatient treatment services.
13. ACT versus CBT for children with OCD. A preliminary naturalistic investigation
Subtopic: OCD
Elena Campanini, Psy-D, IESCUM Italy, ASCCO Parma
Francesca Pergolizzi, Psy-D, IESCUM Italy, ASCCO Parma
Annalisa Oppo, Psy-D, IESCUM Italy, Sigmund Freud University Milano
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder that affects between 0.5% and 3% of
children and adolescents (Heyman et al., 2003; Leonard et al., 1993). Children and adolescents
with OCD are typically characterized by symptoms that involve (a) intrusive unwanted
thoughts, ideas, or images that evoke anxiety (obsessions), and (b) behavioral or mental rituals
performed to neutralize this distress (compulsions). OCD frequently causes a high degree of
distress and impaired functioning, with an high risk of chronic outcomes (Piacentini, Bergman,
Keller, & McCracken, 2003; Thomsen, 2000). OCD interferes with child's daily functioning, and
may have an adverse impact on child's psychosocial development (Peris et al., 2008; Piacentini
et al., 2003; Storch et al., 2007). Controlled clinical trials with young people diagnosed with
OCD support the efficacy of CBT as well as medication with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI)
(Abramowitz, Whiteside, & Deacon, 2005; Geller, Biederman, Stewart, Mullin, Martin, et al.,
2003; Watson & Rees, 2008). International expert guidelines recommend the use of exposurebased CBT as a first-line of treatment for children and adolescents with OCD (NICE, 2005) and
SRI or combined treatment (CBT plus SRI) for moderate to severe OCD (Geller et al., 2012).
Corrent evidence suggests that cognitive behavioural treatments are the first choice
treatments for children and adolescents with OCD (March, et al.,1997). Bolton and Perrin
(2008) demonstrated that exposure with response prevention (E/RP) alone is sufficient to
achieve significant benefits. Treatment with Acceptance and Commitment therapy in adult
OCD produced clinically significant reductions in compulsions increasing willingness to
experience obsessions (Twohig, Hayes & Masuda, 2006), but there is no evidence for treating
youth with OCD. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an 8 sessions ACT
Protocol for OCD children and to analyze differences between ACT and CBT in terms of
different outcome measures. Between Jannuary 2004 and November 2014, 20 children aged
between 11 and 15 (Males=45%) were recruited in a private practice setting. Children were
allocate to CBT (N=10) or ACT (N=10) treatment on the basis of convenience. Participants were
assessed pre-intervention, at the end of intervention, 3 months after intervention, one year
after intervention and two years after intervention with self-report measures of childrens
compulsion (compulsions daily frequency and length in time) and with Children Yale Brown
Obessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Results swow that both CBT and ACT are effective
treatment. All children responded to treatment both in terms of obsessions (Wilcoxon U=3.93; p<.001) and compulsions (Wilcoxon U=-3.94; p<.001). ACT was effective as CBT in terms
of severity of hilness reduction (Wilcoxon U=-3.86; p<.001). Results were maintained at 3
month, 1-year and 2-years follow-ups Although both treatment are equally effective for
children who soffer from OCD, Acceptnance and Commitment (median number of session=22)
therapy was better than CBT (median number of session=34) in terms of length of treatment
(Mann-Whitney U =3,79; p<.001; ES=6.98) and in terms of hilness insight.
14. Diabetes acceptance and personal characteristics: Impact on health and behaviour
outcomes in emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
Subtopic: Acceptance
Emma Nieminen, MA (Hons), University of Edinburgh
Nuno Ferreira, Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
Objectives: Emerging adulthood is an important transition point for youths with Type 1
diabetes. Personal characteristics such as self-efficacy, fear of hypoglycaemia, depressive
symptoms, emotional distress, and impulse control have been hypothesized to be key
predictors of health and behavioural outcomes (Hanna,2012). This study aims to test the utility
of incorporating diabetes acceptance (Schmitt, Reimer, & Kulzer, 2014) in this model of
transition. Methods: Participants included 175 young adults aged 16-25 with a diagnosis of
type 1 diabetes recruited from online diabetes support forums and groups. An online survey
was used to collect data on the key variables of personal characteristics, acceptance and
health and behavioural outcomes. Linear multiple regression analysis was used to test the
predictive value of personal characteristics and acceptance in health (glycaemic control,
quality of life) and behavioural (self-management) outcomes. Results: Diabetes acceptance
(31.5%) and diabetes distress (10.3%) predicted 41.7% of variance in self-management (R2 =
.417, F(2,142) = 50.83, p < .001). Diabetes acceptance (25.9%), diabetes distress (4.1%), and
age of diagnosis (3.7%) predicted 33.7% of variance in glycaemic control (R2 = .337, F(3,134) =
22.69, p < .001). Diabetes distress (50.2%) was the only predictor of quality of life (R2 = .502,
F(1,143), p < .001). Conclusions: Diabetes acceptance is an important predictor of both health
and behavioural outcomes in emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. There is also further
support for other personal characteristics such as diabetes distress affecting these outcomes.
These should be considered for ideal diabetes management. Keywords: type 1 diabetes,
acceptance, emerging adults, personal characteristics, health outcomes, behaviour outcomes
15. Validation of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) in the Italian Youth Population
Subtopic: dysfunctional attitudes, negative beliefs, depression, adolescent
Erika Melchiorri Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
Gilda Picchio, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS; Weissman & Beck; 1978) was developed to investigate
cognitive attitudes towards the self, the future and the others in adult depressed people,
according to Becks cognitive triad. This study aims to present an Italian version of DAS and to
investigate its validity, reliability and comprehensibility in a sample of non clinical adolescents.
It has been translated into Italian and administered to about 400 students aged 11-14. This
DAS version is useful both in clinical practice and in psychological research to recognize
adolescents negative beliefs and to observe their link with mindfulness abilities defusion on
one hand and with psychopathological symptoms on the other. The DAS italian version shows
good psychometric characteristics supporting its use on adolescents.
16. Reliability and Validity of an Italian version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) for Youth
Subtopic: Perceived Stress, quality of life, wellbeing, happiness
Nicoletta Rist, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
This poster presents the Italian validation of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen, Kamarck,
Mermelstein, 1983) on a sample of about 400 adolescents (aged 11-14). PSS is a 14 items
instrument originally developed for adults, measuring the degree to which life events are
cognitively appraised as stressful. The utility of PSS administration to adolescents population
is linked to its suggested capacity in examining nonspecific appraised stress function in the
etiology of psychological disease and behavioural disorders. Collected data support PSS use on
Italian adolescents, revealing good understandability and psychometric properties. Moreover,
this study shows a negative correlation between perceived stress degree and good quality of
life or mindfulness abilities and a positive correlation between perceived stress and
dysfunctional attitudes or psychopathological symptoms.
17. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Experiential Avoidance and ACT: A single case study
Subtopic: PTSD
Francesca Ferretti, Ascco e Iescum
Campanini Elena, Ascco e Iescum
Background: Orsillo & Batten (2005) argued that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be
considered as a disorder of experiential avoidance. Experiential avoidance has been defined as
a process by which individuals engage in strategies designed to alter the frequency or
experience of private events, such as thoughts, feelings, memories, or bodily sensations (Hayes
et al., 1996). Similarly experiential avoidance can be seen as a contributory factor in the
development and maintenance of PTSD, in fact symptoms experienced by PTSD clients can be
explained within a model that proposes that chronic, pervasive efforts to avoid thoughts,
feelings, and memories related to the traumatic event produce long-term exacerbation of
these private events and ensuing functional impairment. ACT is a contextual behavioral
therapy based on the assumption that many of the symptoms seen across the range of
psychopathology represent efforts to avoid or escape emotions, thoughts, memories, and
other private experiences (Hayes et al., 1996). Recently a practitioner's guide (Walser &
Westrup, 2007) and self-help version (Follette & Pistorello, 2007) of ACT as a treatment for
PTSD have been published: an ACT treatment could overstep several limitations of traditional
CBT treatments. This script is a single case study in which ACT treatment has been applied to a
young woman with PTSD symptoms. Christina was the victim of an aggression and after that
episode she wasnt able to go on with her daily life and she had a high level of experiential
avoidance. Method: Avoidances and behavioral restrictions were monitored as an
independent measure of the behavior. Measurements of PTSD symptoms were taken using the
Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES R, Weiss & Marmar, 1996). The Acceptance and Action
Questionnaire II ( AAQII - Bond et al., submitted; Italian version by Miselli G., Presti G., Rabitti
E. and Moderato P., 2008) was used to assess experiential avoidance and psychological
flexibility. There were two measurement times: - T0 ( April 2013 ) initial assessment, pretreatment - T1 ( November 2013 ) follow-up after 6 months, post-treatment The treatment
consisted of 10 sessions. Results: Results showed a reduction on avoidances and behavioral
restrictions, a reduction in PTSD symptoms (IES-R) and an increased of psychological flexibility
(AAQ-II). Discussion: The third-generation cognitive behavioral therapies such as ACT, can
contribute to help people who experienced trauma: it can allow to make room for their
suffering and to see the pain as part of the totality of human experience. This case study shows
that ACT effectively treated a case of PTSD. We hope that these findings will stimulate
additional research on the effectiveness of ACT and about mechanisms of action in all varieties
of CBT.
18. Psychological flexibility in chronic pain: an exploratory analysis in an Italian population

Subtopic: Chronic pain
Giovambattista Presti, M.D., Ph.D., Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Chiara Vona, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., Iulm University, Milan (Italy)
Psychological flexibility, is the ability to act effectively pursuing personal values, even in the
presence of interfering thoughts, emotions and body sensations. Research show that it is
related to better functioning and quality of life in patients with chronic pain. Parodoxically, the
attempt to improve an individual's condition by fighting, controlling and trying to avoid pain,
seems to have the effect of reducing interests, diminishing quality of life, and altering
relations. To test the relation between pain and quality of life over a long period, we designed
a trial conducted in collaboration with hospital Umberto I of Enna (Italy). Two groups of
subjects, hospitalized patients suffering from chronic pain and a control group were assessed
with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), the Chronic Pain Acceptance
Questionnaire-Revised (CPAQ-R), the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ), the Hospital Anxiety
and Scale (HADS), the Survey on the State of Health (SF-36), the Illness Perception
Questionnaire (IPQ), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
to refer the pain intensity in the moment of the interview, in the last 24hrs and in the last
week. Measures reflect the aim to investigate the possible relation between psychological
flexibility and levels of anxiety and depression, cognitive representations of illness identity,
psychological impact of the disease (in terms of disability in the life of the subject), intensity of
perceived pain. We present the very first baseline data of this longitudinal study referred to
109 patients homogeneously distributed in the three groups. First assessment shows that level
of depression and anxiety on HADS are at the same and not statistically different in both
groups (total HADS score is 22.32 for chronic pain group and 22.67 for control group). A
difference emerges between AAQ scores (surprisingly there is no statistical difference between
the two groups) and the CPAQ score (p < 0.01). Results will be discussed in terms of possible
correlation between measures of psychological flexibility and variables related to it, in our case
anxiety, depression and pain. In addition, to test if the results could related to pain per se or to
the chronic condition of painful suffering the possible difference between patients with
chronic pain and patients with acute pain will be investigated too by adding a hospitalized
group with acute pain. A 6-months follow-up is planned to further investigate the effect of
disease fluctuation over the constructs assessed.
19. Evaluating psychological flexibility in self-harmers: an exploratory study of Internet

bloggers

Subtopic: Self-harming
Martina Algozino, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Self-harming has many functions and forms (cutting, head banging, hair pulling, skin picking
and self-burning). Researchers have focused on its relationship with psychiatric and personality
disorders. We investigated self-harming analyzing online behavior of self-harmers in various
contexts such as social websites or blogs, assessing shared contents (photos, links, posts and
videos) and investigating constructs that could be related in self-injurious behavior (such as
depressive states and dissociative and tendency to action and avoidance). One-hundredeleven 13 to 23 years old subjects were contacted and recruited through online services
(Twitter, Facebook, Google +, Youtube). They were asked to fill the following questionnaires
posted in a private webpage: Inventory of Statement About Self-injury (ISAS), Beck Depression
Inventory (BDI), Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES), Acceptance and Action
Questionnaire (AAQ-2). Self-harm behaviors most frequently referred by the subjects were
cutting (98.52%), interfering with wound healing (73.53%), pinching (66.18%), banging or
hitting self (64.71%), severe scratching (58.82%), burning (54.41%), and bitting (51.47%). The
group showed also high level of dissociation measured with Alevel of psychological flexibility as measured by AAQthe sample
were in the higher range (score between 30 and 63) of the BDI. When invited to comment the
ISAS score subjects reported the cause of self-harming as follows: To feel less Worthless, I
am giving myself a distraction from my emotional pain, I self harm if I feel happy as I dont
deserve to be happy, Letting out all the pressure and stress, To feel I'm in control, I can't
stop. I do it cause I need to, I'm addicted, It is the only thing that can make the static go
away, I have a kind of sick obsession with scars, so if the ones I have fade too much I have to
make more. Fusion and avoidance thus seems emerging both from psychometric instruments
and from qualitative analysis of verbal patterns. Any ACT based intervention in self-harming
should take into consideration also data related to dissociation and pain avoidance.
20. Teach your children well: creating homogeneous environment to do ACT with kids
Subtopic: ACT for kids, Hexaflex, Metaphor and exercises
Antonella Beneficio, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Simona Mosca, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Francesca Pergolizzi, IESCUM (Italy)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was originally developed mainly for and with
verbally competent adults. However there is nothing in the clinical model and in Relational
Frame Theory (RFT), the underline theory of language and cognition, that suggests it might not
be effective with verbally competent children or younger adults. ACT therapy with kids does
not depart from the traditional hexaflex based protocols and ACT can be applicable to help
children develop psychological flexibility and get unstuck from the functionally same language
traps that catch adults. However some tweaks are necessary to metaphors and experiential
exercises. To create clinically meaningful context of changes it is necessary to (re)create
overarching verbal environments familiar to children. The tweaks used in the clinical examples
that will be illustrated and discussed are inspired to Harry Potter, Courage the Cowardly dog,
or Kung-Fu Panda or other tales. Tales (verbal contexts) can also be purposefully built from
scratch to vehicle metaphors and experiential exercises that may promote change. We will
show the main logic behind each tale-hexaflex and data derived from clinical cases will also
be discussed and reviewed.
21. Disseminating ACT for pain on a national basis: a preliminary overview of Beyond
pain Italian project
Subtopic: ACT for pain, Web app, ACT dissemination
Francesco Dell'Orco, IULM University, Milan (Italy)
Francesco Pozzi, IULM University, Milan (Italy)
Michele Pozzi, Ibis Informatica (Milan, Italy)
Paolo Moderato, Ph.D., IULM Unversity (Milan, Italy)
ACT based pain management protocols were recognized as having strong empirical support by
Division 12 of APA. Several randomized and controlled trials show that ACT improves
outcomes in heterogeneous chronic pain samples, particularly functioning and mood, although
pain severity may be less affected. These results overlaps with the concept of psychological
flexibility which is related to functioning and moving in the direction of ones values in the
presence of pain. ACT is a relatively new treatment within the Italian clinical community, which
is still mainly dominated by psychodynamic oriented clinicians, and moreover is unknown to
the medical doctors, which almost neglect the support that other CBT psychotherapies have
demonstrated in the literature. Based on an unrestricted grant a project to disseminate ACT
for pain in the medical community and to raise awareness and offer support to patients is
being implemented in Italy. The project is based on three main pillars: 1. Brief medical traing
on the ACT model and effectiveness of the ACT treatment 2. Raising awareness among
population over the availability of the treatment 3. Availability of a web-app that delivers an
ACT protocol for patients with chronic pain The poster will show the details of the plan to rollout ACT for pain in Italy and the data that will be collected to measure the effectiveness of the
plan. Some critical points from the learned lesson will be underlined for future planners.
22. Effects of learning new symbolic relations over stereotyped responses: An exploratory
analysis of sexual prejudice

Subtopic: Sexual prejudice
M.G. Adalgisa Guagenti, M.A., Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Categorization and stereotypes help us to make sense of the world and face unknown
situations, anticipating aspects of our everyday life. Prejudice is a special case of categorization
and a derived learned response about a person or a group that arises in the absence of direct
exposure or contact, with that specific person or group. Prejudice shows that humans can get
caught in categories, irrespective of whether they are valid or not. Relational Frame Theory
conceptualizes prejudice or stereotype as a network of verbally derived stimuli whose
establishment/development, maintenance and termination can be empirically investigated
within the paradigm of symbolic relational responding (Hayes, et al. 2002). Watts et al. (1991)
investigated religious prejudice with an equivalence based learning paradigm and found that
the response over the derived relations were idiosyncratic and sometimes related to the
learning history of the subjects, sometimes related to the learned task. We used a similar
model to test, in a conditional matching-to-sample task, the relation between an individual
history of learning related to sexual prejudice and new learned relations. Twenty-two
homosexual and heterosexual subjects were enrolled for this research. In the presence of gay
or lesbian stereotyped images (A) subjects learnt to associate one of three nonsense syllables
(B) and in the presence of nonsense syllables (B) they learnt to associate one of three images
depicting issues which are not prevalently associated with homosexual individuals (C), such as
marriage, family and having children. After learning these new relations in a frame of
coordination, subjects were tested in three tasks: 1. relating A to C (learned) vs C (stereotyped)
[an similar-IRAP task]; 2. relating A to C (learned) vs C (stereotyped) vs C (unrelated); and 3. the
standard combinatorial A-C/C-A task. Patterns of responding in pre-post tasks were analyzed.
Subjects who constantly responded at baseline with a prejudice pattern, maintained that
pattern in the post-training tests notwithstanding the emergence of the derived combinatorial
relations. Subjects who responded at chance level at baseline, responded according to the new
learned relations in all three post-training testing tasks. Some implications for understanding
the relations between learning new symbolic responses and derived responding is discussed.
Data support the idea that learning new relations is not enough to disrupt or undermine strong
symbolic networks. Implications for therapy and educational programs are discussed in light of
RFT and ACT principles.
23. Treating Eating Disorders: Post-Hoc Reflections about past, present and future cognitivebehavioral intervention approaches
Subtopic: Eating Disorders
Giovanna Cristina Campione, Eating Disorder Service of Scientific Institute 'Eugenio Medea'
(Child Psycopathology Unit), Bosisio Parini, Italy
Katia Manduchi, Fap trainer and supervisor, Iescum trainer and supervisor, Private practice
Gianluigi Mansi, Eating Disorder Service of Scientific Institute 'Eugenio Medea' (Child
Psycopathology Unit), Bosisio Parini, Italy
Alessandra Fumagalli, Eating Disorder Service of Scientific Institute 'Eugenio Medea' (Child
Psycopathology Unit), Bosisio Parini, Italy
Robert Allegri, Private Practice, Iescum alumni
Authors (the first one as therapist, the second one as supervisor) describe the treatment of the
case of Irma, a 33 year-old patient diagnosed with Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
(OSFED) according to DSM-5 criteria. At the beginning, case conceptualization and treatment
were performed as stated in Fairburns CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Enhanced)
model for treatment of Eating Disorders. However, as assessed by EDI-3 and clinical reports,
although scores related to Eating Disorder symptoms improved, patients distress did not
decrease and scores related to hyper-control got worse. Authors re-conceptualized Irmas case
according to Functional Contextualism, and treated it using a combined FAP-ACT intervention,
which was effective as assessed by EDI-3, ACT-consistent measures, and clinical reports.
Treating Irmas case was an opportunity for thinking about and comparing second and third
generations of cognitive behavioral therapies, especially in case of an Eating Disorder.
24. Acceptance and Commitment therapy for the multidisciplinary rehabilitation of fatigue
Subtopic: Fatigue
Henrik Brsting Jacobsen, Ph.D., St Olavs University Hospital; Oslo University Hospital
Background: Targeting maladaptive cognitions through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

have previously been shown to reduce fatigue. The current study aimed to see whether less
fatigue symptoms and improved quality of life (QoL) was associated with improving
psychological flexibility as defined by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It was also
an aim to see if psychological flexibility explained variance above and beyond maladaptive
cognitions targeted in CBT and/or reduction of comorbid symptoms. Methods: 188 patients on
long-term sick leave reporting disabling fatigue were included. Participants filled out a survey
asking about socio-demographics, somatic and psychological complaints and maladaptive
cognitions. They were also examined and diagnosed for mental disorders according to DSM-IV
criteria at a designated outpatient clinic. Results: At post-treatment, participants reported an
improvement in fatigue (p<.001; g=1.08). Hierarchical regression analyses showed that when
controlling for other significant cognitions and co-morbid symptoms, only changes in fearavoidance cognitions pre- to post-treatment were associated with reduced fatigue at
treatment termination. No post-treatment changes in average psychological flexibility were
reported. Physical function, insomnia, pain, and depressive symptoms were all significantly
associated with reduced fatigue at treatment termination. Conclusion: The ACT-based RTWprogram was effective in reducing fatigue from pre- to post-treatment. As predicted by more
traditional CBT, reduction in fear-avoidance cognitions during treatment was significantly
associated with reduction in self-reported fatigue. Psychological flexibility, the key theoretical
concept in ACT, was not associated with a reduction in self-reported fatigue or improved QoL.
25. The Relationship of Self-Compassion, Experiential Avoidance, and Depression among

Young Adult Women in Korea
Subtopic: Depression
Hyeeun Kim, Ph.D., Seoul Women's University Graduate School of Professional Therapeutic
Technology
Kyung Park, Ph.D., Seoul Women's University Graduate School of Professional Therapeutic
Technology
Background: The present study examines how self-compassion, experiential avoidance, and
depression are related from research conducted among young adult women in Korea.
Especially, based on theoretical framework of acceptance and commitment therapy, our study
assumes that experiential avoidance mediates the effect of previous depression which leads to
persistence of depression. Also, this study examines whether self-compassion moderates the
relationship between previous depression and experiential avoidance. Method: For this study,
269 Korean young adult women (age range 18-30 years) participated and completed a self
report questionnaire which is comprised of self-compassion scale, acceptance action
questionnaire, and Becks depression inventory. Our study assessed all variables twice at an
interval of two months. Results: The level of previous depression, self-compassion, experiential
avoidance are significantly correlated with depression in present. Also, experiential avoidance
partially mediated the effect of depression at time 1 impacted to depression at time 2,
because depression at time 1 still influenced on depression at time 2 after the controlled effect
of experiential avoidance. In hierarchical multiple regression analysis, it is worthy of notice
that, depression at time 1 which interacted with self-compassion influenced on experiential
avoidance. Therefore, the moderating effect of self-compassion is significant in the
relationship between previous depression and experiential avoidance. Discussion: Thus,
depression can be reduced through improving acceptance of ones experiences. Especially, it is
verified, self-compassion has a role of buffer which can decrease experiential avoidance is
important in development and persistence of depression. Furthermore, acceptance of
experiences and self-compassion can act as a protective factor for treatment and prevention of
depression. Finally, the present study was discussed in limitation of our research, and
recommendation for future researches.
26. A Preliminary Investigation of the Use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapeutic

Principles in Group Treatment with a Community Sample of Bhutanese Refugee Women
Subtopic: Refugee, Group Therapy
Carly Baetz, J.D., University of Vermont
Maggie Evans, B.A., University of Vermont
Diane Gottlieb, Ph.D.; Valerie Harder, Ph.D., University of Vermont

Psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance have been associated with negative
outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and mental health problems in general. Furthermore,
these psychological processes have shown to mediate the impact of Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT) on mental health problems. Research has also demonstrated the
importance of treatment engagement in psychotherapy outcomes. However, very little is
known about the relationship between these variables in non-Western cultures. The present
feasibility study examined changes in psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance in a
group of 13 female Bhutanese refugees seeking services at a community clinic. These women
were assessed and invited to join an open-ended group with ongoing enrollment. Weekly
group psychotherapy sessions were oriented in ACT principles and aimed to enhance
psychological wellbeing. We utilized the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II) to
assess for psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance at two mid-treatment time
points (approximately 25 weeks and 50 weeks). Group psychotherapy treatment and
assessment were performed with the assistance of a Nepali interpreter(s). Descriptive
statistics indicated a decrease in mean scores on the AAQ-II (25 weeks: M = 44.2, SD = 26.05;
50 weeks: M = 37.4, SD = 8.74). Although not statistically significant (t(4) = .787, p = .47), this
difference speaks to the clinical utility of using an ACT framework with this population.
Additionally, a moderation analysis revealed that the number of treatment sessions attended
may play a role in changes in psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance, thus
suggesting a dose-response relationship (F(3)=74.29, p = 0.08). Despite the exploratory nature
and statistical limitations due to small sample size, this study provides support for (1)
addressing psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance in group therapy with nonEnglish speaking refugees using ACT principles; (2) continuing to examine the use of ACT
constructs with validated measurements in this population; and (3) understanding the impact
of group attendance on changes in psychological flexibility. Overall, these results add new and
relevant information to the extant literature by demonstrating the feasibility and utility of
doing group therapy and research with non-English speaking refugees using an ACT
framework. Future research should assess for barriers involved with attending therapy (e.g.,
avoidance, transportation, pain) and explore how psychological inflexibility and experiential
avoidance are involved.
27. A Case Series on the Effects of Yoga for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Subtopic: GAD, Yoga, Mindfulness
Jessica Morgan, M.A., Georgia State University
Page Anderson, Ph.D., Georgia State University
Background Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder associated

with substantial impairment and poor treatment response. Yoga is found to influences
processes that are linked to GAD, including mindfulness, anxiety, and heart rate variability, but
has yet to be evaluated among people with the disorder. The present study is a first step and
evaluates the efficacy of yoga for reducing worry among people with GAD. Method Three
participants diagnosed with primary GAD using received eight twice-weekly Kripalu yoga
sessions following a baseline data collection period. Using a single-subject AB design case
series, daily ratings of worry were collected and compared across baseline and intervention
phases. For secondary analysis, standardized self-report measures of worry, trait anxiety,
experiential avoidance, and mindfulness, as well as heart rate variability are assessed at preand post-treatment. Results Two of three participants showed evidence of change in daily
worry ratings coinciding with the introduction of yoga. The participant who did not reduce in
worry showed increases in mindfulness and HRV. Effect sizes indicate overall trends in
therapeutically desirable directions for standardized measures of worry, trait anxiety,
experiential avoidance, and mindfulness as well as high-frequency heart rate variability.
Discussion Yoga has the potential to reduce worry in individuals with GAD; in this sample, two
of three participants showed evidence of reductions in worry. The increase in mindfulness and
HRV in the participant who showed non-response on the worry variable is discussed.
28. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Public Speaking Anxiety a Case Series Study
of Effects on Self-reported, Implicit, Imaginal, and In-vivo Performance Outcomes
Subtopic: Public Speaking Anxiety / IRAP
Joe Priestley, University of Lincoln, UK
Dr. David Dawson & Dr. Nima Moghaddam, University of Lincoln
Abstract Public speaking anxiety affects a large percentage of the general population. In some
cases, public speaking anxiety can lead to a number of interrelated social difficulties such as
interference or distress related to work, reduced likelihood of continued education, and higher
levels of unemployment. Although Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been shown to be
effective in treating this difficulty, around 25% of patients fail to respond. Acceptance and
Commitment therapy (ACT) may offer an alternative for patients who find traditional models
of exposure distressing. Although limited, extant research in this area is promising. The present
study investigated the effects of a self-help ACT intervention in the domains of willingness,
distress, and avoidance related to public speaking. The single case experimental design
allowed for changes in participant responding to be tracked in line with the chapters being
read in the self-help workbook (Get out of your mind, and into your life) allowing for
inferences to be made about which ACT process may beneficial in treating this difficulty.
Change was also tracked using ACT process measures and the Implicit Relational Assessment
Procedure (IRAP), to investigate whether self-rated and implicit change occurred concordantly.
Finally, participants were given the option to take part in a public speaking task, and their
performance rated. The study is still underway, however, initial findings will be available for
the ACBS conference. It is hoped that the findings from this study will support the use of ACT,
delivered in a self-help format, to treat public speaking anxiety for patients wishing to address
their difficulty independently or for patients with wider social anxiety who do not seek
treatment.
29. Vitalis A randomized intervention study aiming at Return To Work for women with
long-term sick leave.
Subtopic: Return To Work
Linnea Molin, Psychologist, ArbetsRehab, Department of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital
Ingrid Anderzn, Ph.D. Head of Arbetsrehab, Deptarment of Public Health and Caring Sciences,
university of Uppsala
sa Andersen, Doctoral Student, Deptarment of Public Health and Caring Sciences, university
of Uppsala
Anna Finnes, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Per Lytsy M.D, Ph.D., Deptarment of Public Health and Caring Sciences, university of Uppsala
Background: Sweden has been challenged by a high number of people on long-term sick leave
due to health reasons. In addition there is a gender difference with a higher proportion of
women than men on long-term sick leave. The main purpose of the study was to facilitate
return to work and to improve participants' health during the period of one year.
Method: Vitalis was a randomized controlled intervention study that addressed women on
long-term sick leave due to mental illness and/or pain in Uppsala County, Sweden. The
participants were expected to reach the time limit within the health insurance. In total 308
persons were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: 1) psychotherapy with
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), 2) multimodal team treatment (TEAM), or 3)
Treatment as usual (TAU). The ACT intervention was an individualized psychotherapy
according to ACT. In the TEAM intervention the participants met a physician, a psychologist, an
occupational therapist and a social worker. The TEAM condition could but did not have to
include ACT psychotherapy. All three groups received the standard program offered by the
public employment office. Returning to the health insurance, number of reimbursed days
during first year and self-reported health assessments were used as outcomes measures at 12
months. Results: At one year follow-up no significant differences were found between the
groups concerning the percentage of individuals returning to the health insurance system.
Neither was there any significant difference in the number of reimbursed days between the
interventions and TAU. There were significant interaction effects were ACT and TEAM show
improvement with less anxiety and depression assessed by HADS compared to TAU. Health,
assessed by GHQ (General Health Questionnaire) and quality of life, assessed by SWLS
(Satisfaction with life scale) had improved significantly in the TEAM-intervention compared to
TAU. Participants in the ACT-intervention reported significantly less pain during the follow-up
year compared to TAU. Conclusions: In this study the interventions seem to have improved
different aspects of health in the participants, although there are no clear effects concerning
RTW. RTW after a long absence can be viewed as a process-oriented activity with a number of
coordinating actors it is a complex multidimensional topic in need of further research.
30. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) does it
work, and for whom?
Subtopic: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Martin Jonsj, M.Sc., Ph.D-student, Karolinska Institutet
Linda Holmstrm, Ph.D., Karolinska Instiutet
Anna Andreasson, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet
Gunnar Olsson, M.D., Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet
Background For many patients with ME/CFS, medical strategies alone appear insufficient to
increase functioning and quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the only
treatment approach with preliminary evidence of efficacy. However, effect sizes are generally
modest. Recently, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has gained increasing attention
and research support within clinical trials in similar disorders (e.g. chronic pain). Results from
these areas illustrate the utility of this approach for individuals with somatic symptomatology.
Also, mediation analyses indicate that psychological flexibility is central to functioning and
quality of life. In contrast to a traditional CBT-approach which focuses on symptom reduction,
the treatment objective in ACT - to increase functioning and quality of life by promoting
psychological flexibility, i.e. the ability to behave in accordance with important long-term
goals/values in the presence of interfering experiences (fatigue, pain, anxiety, negative
thoughts) seems of utmost importance to evaluate for this chronic debilitating illness. To
date, the efficacy of ACT has not been evaluated for ME/CFS. Therefore, this pilot study will
explore the utility of ACT for adults with ME/CFS as well as identify factors of importance to
predict treatment outcome. Method Treatment consists of 13 weekly individual ACT sessions,
delivered by a psychologist (10) and by a physician (3) respectively. An open trial design is
used, with assessments at pre- and post-treatment as well as at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up.
Assessments of process (Psychological Inflexibility in Fatigue Scale, PIFS) and outcome
measures are also carried out during treatment. The primary outcome measures are mental
and physical functioning (SF-36, ME/CFS Disability Index) and quality of life (EQ-5D). Secondary
outcome measures include psychological flexibility (Psychological Inflexibility in Fatigue Scale,
PIFS) and activity data assessed by an accelerometer. Data will be analyzed using hierarchical
regression analyses and linear multilevel modeling. Results and discussion Data collection is
ongoing. Although tentative, preliminary findings and clinical experiences are promising.
Treatment evaluations and predictors of outcome will be presented, and clinical implications
of these findings will be discussed.
31. The relation between symptoms, psychological flexibility and disability in Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Subtopic: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Martin Jonsj, M.Sc., Ph.D-student, Karolinska Institutet

Linda Holmstrm, Ph.D., Karolinska Instiutet
Anna Andreasson, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet
Gunnar Olsson, M.D., Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet
Background Even though it is plausible that the often very debilitating symptoms in ME/CFS
are caused and maintained by multiple factors (e.g. immunological, CNS, endocrine,
psychological), previous research suggests that psychological factors are of significant
importance for the relation between symptoms and functioning and quality of life in this
condition. However, there is a need for further research that examines which psychological
factors that are of most importance for the relation between symptoms and functioning and
quality of .life. For the last 14 years, a behavioral medicine treatment approach based on
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been developed for the treatment of chronic
pain in children and adults at the Karolinska University Hospital. In chronic pain, as well as in
other longstanding somatic problems (e.g. tinnitus), psychological flexibility has been shown to
be of central relevance in explaining disability, more so than e.g. symptom intensity. To date,
there is a lack of studies evaluating the importance of psychological flexibility for the relation
between symptoms and disability in patients with ME/CFS.In an ongoing study, we will explore
the relationships between symptoms, psychological factors, functioning and quality of life in
adult patients with ME/CFS. Furthermore, analyses of the relevance of psychological flexibility
in explaining functioning and quality of life will be carried out. Method The current study uses
a cross-sectional design, with measurements carried out as part of a pre-treatment
assessment. Measures include history data (e.g. presence of symptoms according to the
Canadian case definition of ME/CFS and grading of symptom severity, type of onset),
psychological factors (e.g. psychological flexibility, kinesophobia), physical activity and sleep
(strand test of fitness test and VO2, accelerometer, pedometer), functioning and quality of
life (SF-36, EQ-5D). Data will be analyzed using hierarchical regression analyses. Results and
discussion Data collection is ongoing. The poster will present preliminary findings regarding
the relationships between symptoms, psychological factors and disability. Specifically results
pertaining to the potential importance of psychological flexibility for functioning and quality of
life in ME/CFS will be presented and discussed, as well as clinical implications of these
preliminary findings.
32. A pilot study of psychological support group for GAP patients with ACT
Subtopic: GAP
Pamela Garofani, ASCCO Academy of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences Parma Italy; Ser.T DAISMDP AUSL PARMA Italy
Giovanni Miselli, IESCUM Italy; ACT-Italia Italy
Lucia Maria Giustina, Ser.T DAI-SMDP AUSL PARMA Italy
Annalisa Pelosi, UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI PARMA Italy
Background: this work is a pilot study in patients with GAP in the context of a national health
service. The study was carried out within the Service of Pathological Addictions (SER.T DAISMDP). The Service aim was to accompany patients in a psychological support group, which
was oriented on the analysis of the function of the behavior. The ACT approach allowed to
shift the focus of the intervention and to direct this on training of psychological flexibility and
experiencing processes ATC model. Objects: The pilot study purpose was to promote the
identification of values, to identify commitment actions with the purpose of improving the
quality of life, training the psychological flexibility as a tool in situations of life, foster
acceptance and evaluate the well-being perceived before and after the intervention. Method:
The study involved a small heterogeneous group of patients (participants were 10 clients) in a
psychological support group through the approach ACT. The activity consists of two phases of
somministration questionnaires: before and after the intervention to measure the values,
behavioral effectiveness, the mood and the experience gambling (VLQ, AAQ-2, Core- om,
SOGS). The treatment phase consist of eight sessions that were structured into a active
listening of self report of behaviors (in the subsequent sessions: checking of homework),
training to use ACT processes (contact with the present moment, acceptance, defusion, self-ascontext, committed action, values), training to improve flexibility psychological and ACT
homework. Results and Discussion: Data from the pilot study and first phase intervention will
be presented at the conference.
33. Disordered eating cognitions, pyschological flexibility, and help-seeking attitudes

towards professional psychological help in Asian American women
Subtopic: Eating Disorders
Stacey Ng, Georgia State University
Akihiko Masuda, Ph.D., Georgia State University
Lee Ward Schaefer, Georgia State University
Background: Investigating attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help may be

important for understanding treatment utilization for female Asian American college students.
Within that population, disordered eating cognitions are common psychological concerns,
which are found to be a potential barrier for seeking psychological services.. Using an ACT
conceptual framework, the present study examined whether disordered-eating cognitions and
psychological flexibility were uniquely associated with stigma tolerance and interpersonal
openness, facets within help-seeking attitudes towards professional psychological services in a
sample of Asian American college women. Methods: A subsample of college undergraduates,
consisting of Asian American females, from a larger cross-sectional study was examined using a
multiple regression analysis of self-report measures of general psychological health,
psychological flexibility, and disordered eating cognitions on help-seeking attitudes. Study 1 (N
= 119) examined whether disordered eating cognitions and psychological flexibility, measured
by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Revised (AAQ-R), were uniquely associated with
these help-seeking attitudes while controlling for age and psychological distress. Study 2 (N =
257) replicated the results of Study 1 by using a more psychometrically sound measure of
psychological inflexibility (i.e., Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II). Results: In both

studies, psychological flexibility/inflexibility was found to be uniquely and significantly related
to stigma tolerance and interpersonal openness in expected direction. Disordered eating
cognitions were found to be a significant predictor of these help-seeking attitudes in Study 2,
but not in Study 1. Discussion: Our findings suggest that both psychological flexibility and
disordered eating cognitions may be useful concepts to explore help-seeking attitudes on
stigma tolerance and interpersonal openness in a sample of Asian American college women.
34. A Preliminary Exploration of Values-based Practice to Protect Police and Emergency

Responders from Lasting Negative Consequences of Trauma
Subtopic: PTSD
Wanda L. Smith, Private Practice & McMaster University
Stephanie Swayne, Private Practice
Police and other emergency responders such as firefighters and paramedics are at risk for the
development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Operational Stress Injuries (OSI's) by
nature of their professions, i.e., the preponderance of traumatic events in their work
environments. The prevalence of PTSD in the normal population is approximately 3-5%; the
prevalence of PTSD in police and emergency responders is significantly higher with rates
reported as high as 18%. Further, this population often presents with symptoms which may
not be detected or may not meet full criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, i.e., subthreshold. Comorbid disorders such as depression are also common. Suicide rates have been steadily
increasing and reached alarming levels, e.g., during a 10 week period in the summer of 2014
13 Toronto EMS personnel suicided as a result of PTSD. Interventions targeting the oft
negative sequelae of trauma exposure are urgently needed. Brief interventions such as
debriefing exercises have not proven successful in addressing the aftermath of trauma
exposure and may, in fact, be detrimental to long term mental health. Evidence based
treatments for PTSD and trauma related disorders have been developed however, the police
culture and general mental health stigma often precludes treatment from a registered health
care provider, as well, introduction of formal trauma therapy may not be feasible or realistic
for a working force. This context opens discussion for interventions which can be readily
introduced as needed including during such contexts as the aftermath of a traumatic incident
as well as during police and emergency responders training and education. Values based
interventions as conceptualised in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy may be promising.
RCTs supporting ACT interventions have been cumulating including ACT interventions for PTSD
and depression. Values work has been studied in isolation including development of a values
questionnaire. The proposed presentation will describe an ACT intervention model for police
and emergency responders designed to be protective for the long term negative consequences
of trauma exposure through ongoing monitoring and engagement with vocational and
personal values. The proposed intervention includes a series of brief values-clarification and
values-connection experiential exercises that can be conducted with individuals or groups and
will be described in further detail as part of the presentation.
35. Effects of experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion on psychological stress responses
among Japanese adolescents
Subtopic: adolescents, experiential avoidance and fusion,psychological stress
Kenichro Ishizu, Ph.D., University of Toyama
Yoshiyuki Shimoda, Ph.D., Saga university
Tomu Ohtsuki, Ph.D., Waeda university
This study aimed to investigate the effects of avoidance and fusion on psychological well-being
among Japanese early adolescents. A short-time three-wave prospective design was used with
intervals of 1 week; we examined the relationship among experiential avoidance and fusion,
psychological stress responses, and school stressors. We used 1-week intervals because we
aimed to understand how psychological distress(stress response) in school was maintained and
how avoidance and fusion would affect it over a short period. Japanese junior high school
students (N = 689, age range = 12~15, mean age = 13.29) were requested to complete the
questionnaire about experiential avoidance and fusion, psychological stress responses, and
school stressors (waves 1~3). We used a cross-lagged panel model to reveal the longitudinal
relationship among those variables and found that not only does avoidance and fusion affect
psychological stress responses but also that psychological stress affects avoidance and fusion.
The results also showed that avoidance and fusion at waves 1 and 2 affected school stressors
at waves 2 and 3. These results suggest that once psychological stress response is provoked by
avoidance and fusion, it also affects following avoidance and fusion, which would maintain the
psychological distress in school.
36. A Comparison between Islamic Spiritual Therapy (IPS) and Acceptance Commitment
Therapy (ACT)
Subtopic: Psychotherapy
Dr. Tahereh Seghatoleslam, University of Malaya , Centre of Addiction Sciences UMCAS)
Malaysia Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences ,Tehran Iran
Hussain Habil, University of Malaya , Centre of Addiction Sciences UMCAS) Malaysia
This study has been clarified the differences and similarities between ISP and ACT from an
Islamic point of view. It showed that there are a lot of similarities and a few difference in ISP
and ACT principals that are following. However , in Islam everything is related to Allah, and has
been everybody must be targeted to Allalh, therefore in the Holy Quran emphasis on some
actions that mentioned Vajeb, means it is compulsory to do and avoid the behaviour that are
not acceptable in Islam as a cardinal sin in the Holy Quran. Whereas in ACT cognitive avoiding
is not encouraging. In Islam there are five times pray that are Vajeb (Compulsory) for all
Muslim. It is similar to mindfulness in ACT that is the cause of consciousness. In the Holy Quran
ordered that you have to conscious and be responsible for all of your behaviour to yourself
and to other people, if not you are doing Haram. Haram is a religious word that is opposite of
Vajeb , means compulsory to avoid. In Islamic Point of view also recommended that the Values
play an important role in the personal and social life. These values developed the framework
of cognitive life. Regarding the time as mentioned by ACT in the theory the moment is one of
principals that proposed by Steven Hays, Moreover , in Islam has been mentioned, be careful
about future, because you have to think about another world it is promised in the Holy Quran
if you are caring about your life in another world and your future you will be blessed by
Allah.in the original paper these dimensions are considered completely.
37. Developing a new repeatable measure of ACT processes

Subtopic: Psychometric development
Ashley Francis, Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln
David Dawson, Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln
Nima Moghaddam, Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln
Background Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidenced based psychological

therapy which seeks to increase psychological flexibility through mindfulness and behavioural
change strategies. Valid and reliable measures of the six core processes underpinning
psychological flexibility are central to contributing to ACT's continuing growing evidence base.
However, the most widely used measure of psychological flexibility, the Acceptance and Action
Questionnaire (AAQ-II), has been criticised by several authors on a number of grounds
including: poor item face and content validity; poor discriminant validity; theoretical overlap
and therefore redundancy of several of the underpinning ACT processes; and poor suitability
for repeatable administration. The aims of this research were therefore to generate and
validate a new measure of ACT processes that: 1) addressed the shortcomings of the AAQ-II; 2)
is underpinned by three versus six dyadic core ACT processes; and 3) is suitable for repeatable
administration. This measure is referred as the Repeatable measure of ACT Processes (ReACT).
Method Phase 1. Measurement development 106 items were initially pooled from existing ACT
process measures based on their high factor loadings. ACT experts (n=13) were recruited from
the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science's (ACBS) website and were asked to rate
items hosted on an online survey on a five-point Likert scale in terms of their face and content
validity. Items which failed to reach pre-defined ratings thresholds were removed and
remaining items were re-rated until a pre-defined consensus threshold was reached. Each
item's wording was adapted to be better suited for repeated administration. Trainee clinical
psychologists (n=15) were then asked for feedback regarding the comprehensibility of items
and the adapted items were then sent to ACT experts for final comments. Phase 2.
Measurement validation The validity, reliability and structure of the ReACT was investigated in
phase two. The measure was hosted on an online survey and disseminated to a non-clinical
sample of participants (n= 300?). The research was advertised through various social media
platforms, as well as through the Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln's research boards.
Several small sub-samples of participants were asked to: a) complete the AAQ-II in order to
assess the ReACT's convergent validity (n=?); b) complete a distress measure in order to assess
the ReACT's discriminant validity (n=?); and c) complete the ReACT again a week later in order
to assess the ReACT's test-retest reliability (n= ?). A factor analysis was performed in order to
assess the ReACT's individual items and overall factor structure. Results Some preliminary
results from phase 1 of the study will be available by the time of the poster presentation at the
ACBS conference. Discussion Some preliminary discussion points from phase 1 of the study will
be available by the time of the poster presentation at the ACBS conference.
38. Validation of the short version of the Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ-8) in a
French-Speaking Population
Subtopic: Committed Action
Joel Gagon, Ph.D. (c), Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
Frdrick Dionne, Ph.D., Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
Marie-Eve Martel, D.Psy. (c), Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
Whitney Scott, Ph.D., Kings College London
Lance M. McCracken, Ph.D., Kings College London
Background: Committed action is defined as flexible persistence with actions linked to chosen
values and goals even in the presence of psychological barriers, such as difficult feelings,
thoughts, and urges. Emerging evidence supports the empirical and clinical relevance of this
construct. However, no questionnaire is available yet in French. This study aimed to validate a
French translation of the short form of the Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ-8;
McCracken & Norton, 2014), which has already been validated in English in a chronic pain
sample. Method: Two different samples were used in this study. The first sample was
comprised of 704 participants who suffer from chronic pain, with a mean age of 51.93 (SD =
11.55); the majority of this sample (77.6%) was female. The second sample was comprised of
398 college students with a mean age of 25.08 (SD = 6.32); the majority of this sample (82.7%)
was likewise female. Results: To evaluate the factor structure of the CAQ-8, an Exploratory
Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted with the data of half of the participants from the first
sample. Similar to the original version, the EFA revealed a two-factor structure with
coefficients ranging from .44 to .93, and explaining 53.54% of the total variance. Cronbachs
alpha from the first sample was .80 and .83 for the second sample. Furthermore, two
Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) were conducted using AMOS 20 to confirm the bifactor
structure of the CAQ-8 on the other half of the first sample and on the second sample. Both
CFAs confirmed the bifactor structure of the CAQ-8 and showed overall good model fit
evaluated by different indicators based on Klines (2005) recommendations and cut-off values.
Discussion: Overall, these data support the construct validity and reliability of the French CAQ8 for use in clinical and non-clinical samples. Keywords: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
(ACT), Committed Action, Validation, Psychological Flexibility.
39. 3rd Wave Sport Psychology Strategies in Optimizing the Performance of Elite Athletes:
Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Based Program (MBSR-SP)

Subtopic: Mindfulness based interventions/ACT and Elite Sports
Bruno Carraa, MD, PhD candidate, FMH-Lisbon University
Catia Magalhes, PhD, ESEV- Polytechcnic Institute of Viseu-Portugal
Sidnio Serpa, PhD, FMH-Lisbon University
Joan Palmi, Phd, INEFC-Lleida University
Introdution: The difference between success and failure has become increasingly smaller in
sport. A third wave approach in sport psychology, is been recently used for the first time to
increase the performance level of the elite athletes with very well defined programs (Birrer et
al, 2012). Study findings yielded that high-level athletes meta-awareness and effective
refocusing training by MBSR were identified as important factors on performance training and
competition (Sol, Carraa, Palmi, & Serpa, 2014). Objectives: To adapt and determine the
effectiveness of the implementation of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program
(MBSR) to optimize the performance of a sample of elite-performance athletes. Secondary
aims are: understand the relationship between attributes mindfulness, acceptance,
commitment, and compassion - and the impact on the state of sports performance and
dispositional flow; relation between salivary stress response (cortisol), reduced psychological
symptoms and consequent effect on the level of sports performance. Methods: 60 eliteathletes from different sports will be assigned or 30 per the two groups sports (n=30
experimental group and n=30 control group). Standardized instruments will be used. Data
analysis included descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and 2 x 3 ANOVAs (pre- post- and 3month follow-up) with t-tests and Cohens d effect size after Cronbachs alpha reliabilities.
Pearson correlations between the mindfulness, compassion, acceptance and commitment,
reducing suppression of thought measures and physiological response and the MBRS
outcomes will be performed. Also a standard concentration of salivary cortisol (pg.ml
deviations -1, SalimetricsTM) will be measured. Results and discussion: It is expected that
athletes participating in the MBSR program significantly increase the attributes related to
mindfulness, higher levels of self-compassion , acceptance flow state, sport performance, a
lower overall index of psychopathological symptoms and physiological response to stress, less
suppression of thought compared with the control group (Moghadam et al, 2013).
40. The use and feasibility of an ACT-based course for increasing well-being in high school
students: Pilot study
Charlotte Ulrikka Rask, Ph.D., Research Clinic for Functional Disorders, Denmark
Louise M Lykke Kronstrand, MSc., research clinic for functional disorders
Lisbeth Frostholm, Research Clinic for Functional Disorders
Background Young people in high school face many pressures and challenges, including
growing academic expectations, changing social relationships with family and peers and the
physical and emotional changes associated with maturation. These years mark a period of
increased autonomy in which independent decision-making that may influence their health
and health related behaviour develops. A recent survey among Danish adolescents has shown
that 8 % experience high stress and 46 % medium stress that may negatively affect many
aspects of their lives. School-based preventive interventions could represent a possible
solution. Aim The aim is to pilot test the use and feasibility of an ACT-based course developed
with the intention to increase well-being and prevent stress in high school students. Method
and design Six high school student counsellors were trained on a three day course by ACT
specialists in the delivery of a 3 x 1.5 hour sessions introducing ACT principles and related
exercises for the students. A total of 278 first grade high school (US: senior high school)
students were enrolled for this pilot study. They received one weekly session during a 3 week
period. Self-report questionnaires on self-perceived stress, general wellbeing and ACT specific
measures were completed prior and approximately one month after course participation.
Furthermore the counsellors provided a qualitative evaluation on course feasibility. Discussion
The data collection is still ongoing. Preliminary results indicate that the sessions were well
received by students and student counsellors: the ACT-based content was successfully
delivered in a larger class setting with students actively participating in exercises and
discussions. More detailed results will be presented at the conference.
41. The value of health in prisons: giving voice to the detainees

Subtopic: improvement of the health of detainees
Evelyn Uhunmwangho, psychologist, AUSL of Piacenza; ASCCO of Parma
BACKGROUND: The recent reform in the field of prison health in Italy is stimulating the
renovation and reorganization of the services offered pursuing a principle of equality in
differences with regards to access to care in prison. In this context, the Health Service in
Emilia Romagna has initiated various types of experimentation and awareness for the
improvement of the health of detainees. As a member of a regional multidisciplinary team
dedicated to this subject, I gave my contribution through this qualitative survey that has a
descriptive and exploratory purpose. Several studies prove the effectiveness of interventions
that focus on acceptance and mindfulness in order to help people identify their valued
directions and follow them to improve their quality of life and resilience. OBJECTIVES: This
study proposes an assessment tool than can guide interventions for health improvement in
prison via identifying motivational levers for the implementation of healthy behaviour, and the
environmental and relational resources and obstacles that the detainees can perceive in this
regard. The investigation into the subjective point of view of the detainees aims also to
stimulate a reflection on the matter that can help build a healthier prison environment.
METHOD: The survey involved a small group of people detained in five different prisons in the
region. They were subjected to purpose made, semi-structured interviews which explored the
importance they give to different domains of living and in habit of health, the types of healthy
behavior they adopt and the environmental and relational resources and obstacles they
percieve in this regard. MAIN RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: For majority of the people
interviewed, engaging in healthy behaviour is a way of pursuing their own values in relation to
parenting, careers and passions, which suggests that for these people the interventions
promoting the adoption of healthy behaviors should focus on these aspects. The type of the
environmental resources and obstacles encountered and their motives, shows that in order to
make their life healthier they should have the possibility of an active role in changing their life
context. As for the relational resources and obstacles, it emerged that it is the operators'
willingness to listen to the detainees that makes the difference. The interviewees strongly
insisted on becoming actively involved in both the interactions with the operators and with
their environment. These are the directions to take and experiment in order to make the
prison community an environment that can promote a healthier life.
42. Implicit Attitudes, Explicit Attitudes or Subliminal Effect: What does actually guide food
choice?
Subtopic: IRAP
Francesco Pozzi, Ph.D., Iescum, Parma
Francesco Dell'Orco, Iescum, Parma
Massimo Cesareo, IESCUM, Parma; IULM University, Milan
Paolo Moderato, Ph.D, IESCUM, Parma; IULM University, Milan
Subliminal Messages (SM) are traditionally thought to affect consumer's choices. The
effectiveness of SM will be evaluated on a sample of students in a 4-phases daily experiment;
Phase1)Semantic differential tests will be administered to evaluate the subjects'explicit
preferences toward 2 brands, ie Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana-Padano; Phase2) An Implicit
Relational Assessment Procedure(IRAP)will be administered to evaluate the subjects'implicit
attitudes toward the brands; Phase3) Based on the explicit preferences will be created a "proGrana", "pro-Parmigiano" and a control group. Pro-Grana subjects will be exposed to a video
including Parmigiano SM, and viceversa. The control group will not receive SM; Phase4) the
subjects will be asked to choose a product related with Grana-Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Expected results:1)SM should not affect subjects'choices; 2)Subjects'choices should be
coherent with their implicit attitudes; 3)If explicit and implicit measures are incoherent,the
latter should be more predictive of the subjects'choices. Data will be shown.
43. Live Balance A mindfulness based universal mental health promotion program:
Conceptualization, implementation, participants' appraisal
Subtopic: Primary prevention
Lisa Lyssenko, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
Martin Bohus, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
Background: We developed a 7 week prevention health promotion program, which is based on

resilience research and uses strategies from acceptance and commitment therapy. The
program was implemented in cooperation with a German insurance company. The data is part
of an ongoing effectiveness evaluation. Methods: Data was collected via self-administered
psychological questionnaires. Findings: Between 11/2013 and 6/2014 participants (n=4.898)
enrolled on their own initiative. 37.0% of all participants (n = 1.813) agreed to take part in the
study: average age was 49.5 years, 83% were female. At admission, the self-selected
participants differ significantly from the general German population regarding initial symptoms
of depression and anxiety, life satisfaction and resilience. Overall participants appraisal of the
course was good, 83% of participants attended at least at 6 of the 7 sessions. Discussion:
Although provided as a nonselective primary prevention program, the data point to an
indicative utilization of people with mental load. Nevertheless, as satisfaction and compliance
ratings show only slight correlations with socio-demographic characteristics such as age,
gender and education, the concept of Live Balance seems suitable and feasible for universal
prevention.
44. The relationship between early adverse experiences and social anxiety in adolescence:
the mediator role of fears of compassion
Marina Cunha, PhD, Instituto Superior Miguel Torga; CINEICC - Faculty of Psychology and
Ana Xavier, MSc, CINEICC - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of
Coimbra
Ana Galhardo, Instituto Superior Miguel Torga; CINEICC - Faculty of Psychology and
Ctia Pereira, Instituto Superior Miguel Torga
Background: Several studies show that recalling of early adverse experiences with parents
contribute to higher levels of psychopathology. Furthermore, negative emotional experiences
during childhood may lead individuals to resist or be fearful of experiencing compassion for
themselves, from others and of having compassionate feelings for others. These difficulties in
experiencing affiliative emotions have been related to mental health problems. In this context
the current study sought out to explore whether difficulties in receiving affiliative soothing
emotions from self and from others (fears of compassion) mediate the impact of adverse
memories (early experiences of threat, submissiveness, unvalued) on social anxiety symptoms
in adolescents. Method: The sample included 309 adolescents (58.3% males; 41.7% females)
aged between 12 and 19 years old (M = 14.91, SD = 2.12). These adolescents showed a mean
of 9 years of education (SD = 1.73). Participants completed a set of self-report questionnaires,
namely the Early Life Experiences Scale (ELES), the Fears of Compassion Scales (FCS) and the
Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS- A). Results: Descriptive analysis showed that girls
report higher levels of unvalued feelings in early interactions with parents as well as higher
levels of social anxiety. Younger adolescents (12-13 years-old) presented higher scores in social
anxiety when compared to older adolescents (ages between 14 and 19 years old). Path analysis
results showed that the model explained 35% of social anxiety variance. The recall of unvalued
feelings in early interactions directly predicted increased levels of social anxiety. Bootstrap
analysis indicated that threatening experiences indirectly predicted increased levels of social
anxiety through fears of compassion from others and for the self, even when sociodemographic variables were controlled for. Additionally, there were significant indirect effects
of fears of compassion from others and for the self in the relationship between submissiveness
experiences and social anxiety. Discussion: Current results indicate that adolescents who recall
unvalued feelings in early interactions with parents tend to report higher levels of social
anxiety. Moreover, adolescents who come from threatening and submissiveness early
environments tend to report more fears of receiving compassionate feelings from others and
more fears of self-compassion which in turn impact on social anxiety. These findings
emphasize the role of fears of compassion from others and for the self on how early
threatening and submissiveness experiences impact on social anxiety. Therefore, in terms of
clinical implications, these data suggest that compassion abilities are particularly relevant to
develop among adolescents with increased social anxiety as a way of reducing the damaging
impact of early negative experiences.
45. Increasing Racially Diverse Social Connections through Contextual Behavioral Science.
Subtopic: Intergroup Anxiety
Michael J. Thurston-Rattue, M.A. (Hons), University of Washington
Jonathan W. Kanter, Ph.D., University of Washington
Forogh Hakki, University of Washington
Adam Kuczynski, B.S., University of Washington
Maria M. Santos, M.A., University of Washington
Keith Bailey, Milwaukee Matters
Mavis Tsai, Ph.D., University of Washington
Robert J. Kohlenberg, Ph.D., University of Washington
We suggest that the next great battlefront in the war on modern racism is psychological, and it
is here that contextual behavioral science may have great potential in the development of
effective interventions. Using principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and
Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), we developed a 6-hour, workshop-style intervention
to first increase psychological flexibility with respect to aversive private experiences around
race-based interactions and then develop intimacy and closeness in a workshop-style, group
setting involving previously unacquainted black and white college students. We report on
results from qualitative interviews of participants (n = 10 black participants and 10 white
participants) after our first pilot of the workshop. Participants reported various positive
outcomes from the workshop, including decreased prejudicial responses, increased intimacy
and social connection with other participants as well as significant others in their lives,
increased empowerment to be more authentic in relationships, and increased desire from
white participants to confront other white students when they make racist or insensitive
remarks. One student reported feeling somewhat overwhelmed and inhibited by the
experience, but reported that this effect was temporary. Overall, this work establishes the
feasibility of a brief, workshop style intervention to increase social connection in racially
diverse groups at a crucial time in which this issue is a national priority. We are primarily
interested in developing a solid scientific foundation for our efforts and future research
directions are discussed.
46. Explicit and implicit nave concept of talent - relations with self-esteem Machiavellianism
and self-determined motivation
Subtopic: IRAP
Maria Chekowska, M.A., University of Silesia
Magdalena Hyla, M.A., University of Silesia
Lidia Baran, M.A., University of Silesia
In the present study we made an attempt to answer questions concerning the explicit and
implicit nave concept of talent. On previous research we have found that people perceive
talent in two main ways as a result of hard work or as an innate trait. This study was
conducted to determine if explicit and implicit concepts of talent are different among people
high and low in self-esteem, Machiavellianism and self-determined motivation. Furthermore,
we wanted to determine if students of different fields - social sciences, arts and natural
sciences - differ in explicit and implicit concepts of talent. In reported study we used the
Implicit Relational Assesment Procedure (IRAP) as a measure of implicit concept of talent (hard
work vs innate trait), Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES) as a measure of self-esteem, MACHIV as a measure of Machiavellianism, and Global Motivation Scale (GMS) as a measure of selfdetermined motivation. Our sample consisted of 40 students from University of Silesia in
Katowice and Academy of Music in Katowice. Results are discussed in terms of potential utility
of Relational Frame Theory and IRAP in assesing implicit concept of talent. Furthermore,
potential utility of the nave concept of talent as a predictor of career choices and a motivating
factor is discussed.
47. Modifications/widening of the concept of value in RFT (and ACT) / Titel:

Modifikationen/Erweiterungen zum Werte-Begriff in RFT (und ACT)
Subtopic: RFT
Gerhard Kugler, Private praxis
ACT and RFT are based on a problematical concept of "values". An alternative suggestion:
Values develop out of cooperation of works which disseminate as culture over the centuries.
The individual finds his outstanding place in these branches of works and working, but that
place is meaningful only as a part of the whole grounded on many works. In working an
individual influences the lives of others, even if he follows his own aims and emphasis more or
less consciously. Verbal depictions, symbols (in RFT: augmentals) of his working may broach
the issues of his direction or parts of his avenues of approach, but are not the base.
Psychotherapy should therefore attach to the common base of values, especially as it is
cooperation and consequently needs common values. The individual characteristics of

valueing, arranging, creating are not questioned thereby, but obtain another context.ACT und
RFT fuen auf einem problematischen "Werte"-Begriff. Ein alternativer Vorschlag: Werte
entstehen aus der Kooperation an Werken, die sich ber die Jahrtausende als Kultur
verbreiten. Der einzelne Mensch findet in diesem Gest von Werken und Wirken zwar einen
besonderen Platz, dieser ist aber nur als Teil des Gesamten, verankert an vielen Werken,
bedeutungsvoll. Im Wirken gestaltet ein Mensch das Leben anderer mit, auch wenn er eigene
Zieleund Schwerpunkte mehr oder weniger bewusst verfolgt. Verbale Reprsentationen bzw.
Symbole (in RFT: augmentals) seines Wirkens knnen seine Gestaltungs-Richtung oder Teile
der Verfahrensweisen des Einwirkens thematisieren, sind aber nicht ihre Grundlage. Auch
Psychotherapie setzt sinnvollerweise an der gemeinsamen Grundlage von Werten an, zumal
sie eine Kooperation sein soll und schon von daher gemeinsame Werte braucht. Die
individuellen Eigenarten des Wertens, Gestaltens sollen damit nicht in Frage gestellt werden,
erhalten aber einen anderen Kontext.
48. The Impact of Age, Gender, and BMI on Thought Control, Food Acceptance, and Eating
Behavior
Subtopic: Obesity; Emotion Regulation
Background: Contemporary research indicates a relationship between cognition, emotion

regulation and eating. Research also commonly supports gender and age discrepancies in
emotion regulation. For example, studies postulate that women report more negative affect
and an increased tendency to ruminate, catastrophize, and reappraise negative emotion than
men (Thomsen, D.K., Mehlsen, M.Y., Viidik, A., Sommerlund, B., & Zachariae, R., 2005; NolenHoeksma, A., 2011). Womens use of emotional acceptance appears to remain stable with age,
whereas emotional suppression increases with age for women but not men. Older adults
report less negative affect than youth. Finally, studies suggest a higher prevalence of food
craving, cognitive dietary restraint, and disinhibition of eating among women compared to
men (Alexander, J & Tepper, B., 1995; Lafay, T. et al., 2001). The extent to which these age and
gender related findings extend to maladaptive cognitive processes and unhealthy food related
behaviors remain unclear. Method: The current study uses the Thought Control Questionnaire
(TCQ), The Food Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (FAAQ) and the Three-factor Eating
Questionnaire (TFEQ) to examine how various thought control strategies, experiential
acceptance of food-related internal experience, and relationships between cognitive restraint
of eating, disinhibition, and hunger differ based on age, gender, and BMI. Recruitment of 180
normal weight and overweight/obese males and females of varying ages is proceeding (current
N=132). Results: It is expected that younger age will be associated with higher levels of worry
and social thought control, and older age will be associated with higher levels of food
acceptance. It is also hypothesized that women and overweight/obese will have higher mean
levels of cognitive restraint, disinhibition, perceived hunger, rumination, and punishment
thought control strategies than men or normal weights, whereas women and normal weights
will have higher levels of food-related acceptance and reappraisal thought control strategies
than men or overweight/obese. Correlations and t-tests will be used to investigate the
relationships between age, gender and weight on the TCQ, FAAQ and TFEQ. Discussion: Results
from this study will help to increase understanding of the impact that gender, age, and weight
have on emotion regulation, preoccupation with body, food, and weight as well as unhealthy
eating patterns. Findings may illuminate important considerations for the development of
prevention and treatment programs that target the global obesity epidemic.
49. The Relationship Between Control of Unwanted Thoughts and Perceived Success
Implementing Emotion Regulation Strategies
Subtopic: Emotion Regulation
Kimberly A. Corp, MFT, Alliant International University, San Diego
Background: Experimental research on emotion regulation often includes emotion induction

procedures followed by the introduction of varying emotion regulation strategies. To
accurately assert that the emotion regulation intervention has an impact on the dependent
variables being measured, it is important to perform integrity checks ensuring that (1) the
emotion induction was successful, and (2) the appropriate emotion regulation strategy was
understood and successfully employed. To date, little research has investigated characteristics
of participants who report an inability to effectively implement an emotion regulation practice.
A greater understanding of these characteristics may have applied value in clinical settings
where understanding and effectively implementing of therapy techniques is paramount to
successful treatment outcomes. Method: The current study (data collection ongoing; current
N=132) is part of a larger investigation examining the impact of acceptance, suppression and
cognitive reappraisal of emotions on hunger, desire for food, craving, distress, and eating
behavior in normal weight and overweight/obese participants. Following an emotion induction
procedure, participants were randomly assigned to one of four emotion regulation (ER)
conditions: Acceptance, Suppression, Cognitive Reappraisal, or No Instruction Control. An
integrity check was conducted to determine the extent to which participants (1) understood
ER instructions and (2) believed they successfully employed the ER strategy taught. The
Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ; Wells & Davies, 2004), a measure of habitual strategies
to control ones unwanted thoughts, was administered at baseline to assess participants
typical responses when experiencing an unwanted or unpleasant thought (e.g., I call to mind
positive images instead). The TCQ is scored by summing the totals from the 5 categories it
assesses: distraction, social control, worry, punishment and re-appraisal. It was hypothesized
that participants who scored higher on negative control strategies at baseline would report
lower success with acceptance ER and higher success with suppression ER. Participants who
scored higher on the reappraisal subscale would report higher success with reappraisal ER.
Results: Correlational analyses revealed that there was a significant negative correlation
between worry (as measured by the TCQ) and perceived mastery of the acceptance strategy.
In other words, participants who tend to respond to negative thoughts by worrying were less
likely to believe in their ability to successfully utilize an acceptance based ER strategy.
Discussion: These findings may suggest a need to assess a worriers sense of mastery when
learning acceptance based treatment strategies. This is particularly important given the
literature on the impact of patients expectations on successful treatment outcome (Linne,
Hemmingsson, Adolfsson, Ramsten & Rosser, 2002).
50. The Impact of Acceptance, Suppression, and Cognitive Reappraisal of Emotion on

Subjective Distress, Food Craving, and Eating Behavior in a Mixed-Weight Sample
Subtopic: Obesity
Background: The global obesity epidemic represents a major challenge for healthcare
professionals and organizations worldwide. Numerous programs have been developed to
target weight loss in overweight or obese individuals, yet results from these initiatives are
often short-lived. The application of psychological interventions to this epidemic has received
increasing attention, with cognitive behavioral and acceptance-based interventions
demonstrating promising outcomes. However, there remains a lack of clarity regarding the
mechanisms that contribute to overeating. In order to maximize the effectiveness of these
interventions, more information is needed to determine what factors contribute to unhealthy
eating behavior. Method: The present study evaluates the role of emotion regulation on
subjective distress, food craving, and eating behavior in 180 normal weight, overweight, and
obese adults (current N= 127). Participants are randomly assigned to one of four emotion
regulation conditions: Acceptance, Suppression, Cognitive Reappraisal, or Control. After an
emotion induction procedure, participants are taught to practice the appropriate emotion
regulation strategy. Pre and post assessment of food craving and distress are determined by
administering the Food Craving Questionnaire-State (FCQ-S) and Subjective Units of Distress
Scale (SUDS). Eating behavior is also recorded and quantified during the session. The data will
be analyzed for main effects and interaction of time, group, BMI, and emotion regulation
condition by using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Preliminary results suggest that eating
behavior varies as a function of emotion regulation condition, with individuals in the
suppression condition consuming the most food after the emotion induction. It is hypothesized
that there will be significant differences in subjective distress between emotion regulation
conditions and that distress will impact eating behavior. Discussion: Findings from this study
will enhance understanding in the field about the role of different styles of regulating
emotional distress on eating behavior. These findings may prove valuable for healthcare
professionals and organizations designing targeted treatments for obesity.
Friday, 17 July - Poster Session #3
1. The Self Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ): Preliminary analyses of an item pool for a
measure of self in people with chronic pain
Lin Yu, King's College London
Lance M McCracken, Ph.D., Kings College London INPUT Pain Unit, Guys & St Thomas NHS
Foundation Trust, London
Sam Norton, King's College London
Background: Accumulating evidence supports the efficacy and effectiveness of Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT) for chronic pain. ACT is based on what is called the Psychological
Flexibility model. Included in the evidence for ACT for chronic pain is support for the important
role of acceptance, present-focused attention, and value-based action as potential key
therapeutic processes from this model. Another potentially important process from this same
model, self-as-context, has not yet been studied in relation to ACT as there has been no
instrument available to assess this variable. Self-as-context can be defined briefly as the
capacity to adopt a perspective where we are experienced as separate from our thoughts and
feelings. A measure of self-as-context could improve our understanding of treatment
mechanisms and lead to further treatment development. Methods: 205 consecutive referrals
to a pain management center participated in this study. All participants completed 29 items
that represent the item pool for a planned measure called the Self Experiences Questionnaire
(SEQ). Based on analyses of item response frequencies, item inter-correlations, and
exploratory factor analyses, fifteen items were selected that formed an internally consistent
scale. Results: The selected items formed an overall scale with good internal consistency, =
.85. The mean item rating M=3.14, SD=.24 (rated on a scale of 0 to 6). Three subscales, of six,
four, and six items, with adequate internal consistency emerged from Principle Factor Analysis
with Oblique Rotation: (1) Self As Distinct From Content, = .86 (2) Non-Attached Self, = .75
(3) Self-As-Observer, = .78. Adequate construct validity of the overall scale was supported
through correlations with other measures of psychological flexibility including: Pain
Acceptance, r= .48*, General Acceptance, r=.57*, Decentering, r=.65*, Cognitive defusion,
r=.55*, and Committed Action, r=.45*. Adequate predictive validity was supported through
correlations with measures of outcomes: Depression, r=-.38*, Work and Social Adjustment,
r=.22*, and Interference, r=-.19*. All subscales significantly correlated with all other measures
of psychological flexibility and measures of outcomes, except for Self As Observer subscale,
which did not correlated with General Acceptance and any outcomes to a significant level.
(*p<.001) Discussion: SEQ overall represents a reasonably reliable and valid measure for SelfAs-Context. Sense of Self-As-Observer, however, does not appear to easily emerge in natural
language environment. Perhaps training is required for accurate reporting on this aspect.
Further investigation in the context of treatment is warranted.
2. Social relationships and chronic pain - Findings from a Swedish clinical sample
Subtopic: Chronic pain, social connection, self-report measure, adults
Marie Blom, MSc, PhD candidate, Linkping University, Sweden
Bjrn Gerdle, PhD, MD, Linkping University, Sweden
Chronic debilitating pain is a global health concern. Multimodal rehabilitation programmes are
considered treatment of choice, many of which are ACT influenced. Contents vary greatly, as
do degree of involvement of significant others. Earlier studier using West-Haven Yale
Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) have pinpointed a cluster of interpersonally distressed
chronic pain sufferers, characterized by reporting high degrees of punishing pain responses
from significant others. This poster will present descriptive data from the Swedish version of
MPI on a large sample of outpatients with chronic pain, identifying prevalence of interpersonal
distress and considering needs of alternate measures. Presented will also be the outlining of a
PhD thesis aiming to predict and influence satisfaction with social relationships among chronic
pain sufferers.
3. The role of pain acceptance on functioning in individuals with disabilities: A longitudinal

study
Mark P. Jensen, Ph.D., University of Washington
Amanda E. Smith, B.A., University of Washington
Kevin N. Alschuler, University of Washington
Dagmar Amtmann, Ph.D., University of Washington
David T. Gillanders, Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
Ivan R. Molton, Ph.D., University of Washington
Background: Pain acceptance is hypothesized to (a) have direct beneficial effects on

functioning and (b) buffer the effects of pain on functioning. This study sought to test these
hypotheses using a longitudinal design in a sample of individuals with physical disabilities and
chronic pain. Methods: A sample of 392 individuals with physical disabilities (muscular
dystrophy = 58, post-polio syndrome = 111, multiple sclerosis = 103, spinal cord injury = 120)
and chronic pain were administered measures assessing two domains of pain acceptance (Pain
Willingness and Activity Engagement; CPAQ), pain intensity (0-10 NRS), and four functioning
domains measured by PROMIS instruments (pain interference, physical functioning,

depression, and sleep disturbance). The pain and functioning measures were administered
again about 3.5 years later. Results: Significant (p < .05) or non-significant trends (p < .10) for
direct effects emerged for the prediction of subsequent changes in all five of the criterion
variables. In each case, higher levels of acceptance predicted either more improvement or less
worsening in pain and functioning. Moderation analyses indicated that among individuals
endorsing more willingness to engage in activities despite pain, a subsequent increase in pain
was not associated with an increase in depression (r = .00), while among those with lower
activity engagement there was a significant and positive association (r = .15) between change
in pain and depression. Discussion: The findings provide further support for the role that pain
acceptance plays in adjustment to chronic pain in individuals with physical disabilities. In
particular, the findings indicate that direct effects (consistent with the possibility that more
pain acceptance may contribute to better outcomes) are stronger than moderation effects
(consistent with acceptance is a protective factor on the association between pain and
functioning), although at least some moderating effects may exist. Research examining the
causal impact of changes in pain acceptance on functioning is warranted.
4. Nonverbal change mechanisms underlying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Subtopic: Panic disorder and agoraphobia
Catharina Zazoff, Master Student, University of Basel
Marie-Nolle Cottens, Master Student, University of Basel
Objective: Research indicates the effectiveness of Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT)
in treatment resistant patients (Clark et al., 2014 & Gloster et al., 2015). The underlying
nonverbal mechanism of change haven`t been examined yet in detail. This study aimed to
examine how three indications of nonverbal behavior [(a) complementarity (the
correspondence of an interaction between individuals); (b) nonverbal synchrony; and (c) eye
contact between patient and therapist] interacted with the six core processes of ACT and
treatment outcome. Method: Videotapes collected within a randomized controlled study of
ACT for treatment resistant patients diagnosed with primary panic disorder and / or
agoraphobia (PD / A) (Gloster et al., 2015). These videotapes showing therapy sessions of 41
patients (two per patient), were rated and analyzed for psychological flexibility and the three
indicies of nonverbal behavior: synchrony, complementarity, eye contact. Each videotape was
rated by two master students. These variables were associated with various outcome
measures (Psychological flexibility rated by the client (AAQ-II), Clinical Global Impression (CGI),
Panic disorder and Agoraphobia (PAS) and Cognitive Fusion (CFQ)). Results: Results indicated a
negative association between psychological flexibility and complementarity in the end of
therapy. A negative association between psychological flexibility and severity of panic disorder
and agoraphobia at follow-up assessment was found, whereby the change of psychological
flexibility from beginning to end of therapy predicted outcome (CGI and PAS). A trend was
found for the association between nonverbal synchrony and the improvement of psychological
flexibility during therapy. Although the significance level was not reached, there was a positive
correlation of a medium effect size between nonverbal synchrony and the improvement of
psychological flexibility. No association was found between nonverbal synchrony and the
outcome variables. The variable of eye contact will be analyzed next. It is expected to find a
negative association between psychological flexibility and gaze-aversion. Conclusion: ACT
increases psychological flexibility, whereby decreasing complementarity tend to improve
psychological health. However, the results suggest that there is not a strong link between
nonverbal synchrony and psychological flexibility. The study offer new findings regarding
nonverbal processes involved in ACT treatment of patients with panic disorder and / or
agoraphobia which provides additional information for clinicians.
5. A Preliminary Study on Validating the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) in Italian Adolescents

Subtopic: self-compassion, mindfulness, wellbeing, adolescents
Erika Mlechiorri, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) is a 26 items measure originally developed on adult samples. Selfcompassion construct has been defined as the awareness that suffering, failure, and
inadequacies are part of the human condition, and that all people are worthy of compassion
(Neff, 2003). This measure allows to reveal how people behave towards themselves in life hard
times. Considering adolescence as a period rich in psychological, social and biological changes,
the availability of an SCS version for this population could have important conceptual, clinical
and social implications. This study purpose is to present an Italian version of SCS that has been
translated into Italian and administered to a sample of about 400 students aged 11-14.
Subsequently its validity and reliability were investigated, obtaining satisfactory results.
Moreover adolescents with greater self-compassion levels show more psychological wellbeing,
such as less anxious, depressive, somatic, dissociative symptoms, less dysfunctional attitudes
and better quality of life.
6. Validation study of the Italian Version of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale for
Adolescents (MAAS-A)
Subtopic: Adolescents, Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, Acceptance
The measurement of mindfulness on adolescents has important conceptual, clinical and social
implications. This study aims to present an Italian version of the Mindful Attention Awareness
Scale for Adolescents (MAAS-A; Brown, West, Loverich & Biegel, 2011), and to analyze its
psychometric properties. MAAS-A is a 14 items scale assessing mindfulness as a onedimensional construct, considered a receptive state of attention that, informed by an
awareness of present experience, simply observes what is taking place(Brown & Cordon 2009;
Brown & Ryan 2003; Brown et al. 2007). MAAS-A has been translated into Italian and
administered to a sample of about 400 students aged 11-14. Supporting literature data,
adolescents with better quality of life, higher subjective happiness, lower levels of perceived
stress, anxiety, depression and dissociation show higher scores in mindfulness competences.
The study explores factor structure, validity and reliability and the findings suggest that MAASA presents good psychometric characteristics for its use on Italian adolescents.
7. The body image psychological inflexibility scale (BIPIS): Toward a functional contextual
approach to assessment and treatment planning
Subtopic: Assessment
Glenn M. Callaghan, Department of Psychology, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Emily K. Sandoz, Department of Psychology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA
Sabrina M. Darrow, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San
Francisco, CA
Timothy K. Feeney, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
There are a variety of theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding body image
disturbance and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), problems experienced by human across the
globe. While these differing conceptualizations have created little in the way of clarity, a
functional contextual approach may offer a unique way to assess and treat issues related to
body image. Using a model focused on psychological inflexibility (avoidance of ones own
cognitive and affective states) can be useful to understand these problems and attempt to
integrate the values that different people have from unique and international cultures. The
Body Image Psychological Inflexibility Scale was developed based on the principles of
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The scale was created by generating new items
to represent the construct and revising items from the Body Image Acceptance Action
Questionnaire, which focuses primarily on weight. A validation study of this measure was
conducted using an ethnically diverse undergraduate population of over 700 participants and
multiple assessment devices. The 16-item final scale has good internal consistency, a single
factor solution, convergent validity, and good test re-test reliability. Data are presented that
demonstrate a relationship between psychological inflexibility and body image disturbance
indicating empirical support for an ACT conceptualization of body image problems and the use
of this measure to assess body image disturbance and BDD. Treatment implications using
contextual behavioral interventions are highlighted.
8. Results from a group-based stress management ACT-intervention for workers with longterm work-related stress: A pilot-study
Subtopic: Work-related stress
Greta Lassen Lund, MSc.psych, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
Hanne Knudsen, MSc.psych, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
Morten Vejs Willert, MSc.psych.PhD, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
Results from a group-based stress management ACT-intervention for workers with long-term
work-related stress. A pilot-study. Greta Lassen Lund (MSc. psych.), Hanne Knudsen (MSc.
psych.) and Morten Vejs Willert (MSc.psych, PhD) Background: Relatively little is known about
using ACT as a group-based stress management intervention targeting persons with long-term
work-related stress. At the Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital,
Denmark, we have previously investigated the effects of a group-based, cognitive behavioural
stress management intervention directed at workers with elevated symptoms of work-related
stress. The study showed a large effect size in terms of reducing perceived stress when
comparing the intervention to a wait-list control condition and the gains achieved were
maintained at three months follow-up. Aim: The aim was to test ACT as an alternative
intervention to CBT intervention targeting persons with long-term work-related stress. We
wanted to develop and test a group-based ACT intervention manual, using the Acceptance and
Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) as a measure of change in psychological flexibility. We also
wanted to assess the reliability of a Danish translation of the AAQ-II. The Perceived Stress Scale
(PSS-10) was the main outcome in the CBT project, therefore in this project we also wanted to
look at the comparability of effect related to PSS-10. Method: 89 persons from the working
population in the municipality of Aarhus and its surrounding communities were included in the
intervention program after referral from local general practitioners (GP), union social workers
and the employee-counselling program in Region Central Jutland. Inclusion criteria were
persistent symptoms of work-related stress, defined as physiological and psychological
symptoms of reduced level of functioning lasting more than four weeks and elevated reactivity
of symptoms when confronted with demands at work. Exclusion criteria were sick-leave for
more than 26 consecutive weeks, concurrent major life-events and interpersonal workplace
conflicts as the major problem, a severe psychiatric disorder requiring treatment and active
substance abuse. A total of 89 persons were included in the 9 consecutive pilot groups.
Between 7-12 participants per group met for a total of 9 sessions over a 3 month period
followed by a booster session after an additional 3 months. The intervention followed a
manual developed by two ACT trained psychologists who also led the groups. Key elements in
the ACT intervention were psychoeducation on stress, mindfulness exercises, identifying
avoidance behavior, defusion techniques, acceptance, defining values and comitted action.
The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), (range 10-70) was administered at the
beginning of all sessions, excluding the booster session. Our comparison measure, the
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), (range 0-40) was administered at sessions 1 and 8. For both
measures the pre-post within-group changes from session 1 to 8 were analyzed using the
students t-test. Results: The study sample consisted of 93% women who were all in active
employment. The average labor market attachment was 17.6 years with an average of 8.5
years in current/latest employment. At baseline we found a Crohnbachs alpha of 0.87 for the
Danish translation of the AAQ-II. This is comparable to the mean alpha coefficient of 0.84
reported for the original English version of the AAQ-II by Bond et al. (2011). Participants
baseline AAQ-II mean score was 37.9 points (SD=8.9), which declined to 31.8 points (SD=8.3) at
session 8, demonstrating a pre-post difference of 6.2 (3.3 9.0 95% CI) that reached statistical
significance (p<0.001). Participants baseline PSS-10 mean score was 22.8 points (SD=5.8),
which declined to 15.1 points (SD=5.2) at session 8, demonstrating a pre-post difference of 7.7
points (4.9 6.3 95% CI) that reached statistical significance (p<0.001). Discussion: From this
pilot-study of a 3-month group-based stress management ACT-intervention we have found
that it was possible to develop a stress management intervention program based on the ACT
framework. The Danish translation of the AAQ-II demonstrated good reliability. Participants
improved their psychological flexibility and perceived stress scores declined from pre- to postintervention. Comparison of PSS-10 scores with the previously conducted group-based,
cognitive behavioural stress management intervention showed similar changes over time.
9. Psychological processes in obese or overweight women with and without binge eating: An
exploration of their differences
Subtopic: Obesity, Binge eating
Lara Palmeira, MSc., CINEICC - University of Coimbra
Srgio Carvalho, MSc., CINEICC - University of Coimbra
Jos Pinto-Gouveia, M.D., Ph.D., CINEICC - University of Coimbra
Several studies have showed the negative impact of experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion,
shame and self-criticism on quality of life and well-being. Obesity has been consistently linked
to individual suffering, especially when associated with binge eating. However, differences
between obese people with and without binge eating regarding these psychological processes
are scant. The current study explored the differences in several psychological processes in
overweight or obese women: with binge eating disorder (BED) (n= 32) and without binge
eating disorder (n=46). A t-test analysis showed that, although there were no differences
regarding BMI, the two groups were significantly different in overall experiential avoidance
(t=3.106, p=.003), body-image cognitive fusion (t=2.246, p=.028), external shame (t=4.015,
p.001), weight self-devaluation (t=2.632, p=.010) and weight discrimination (t=4.461, p.001),
disordered eating behaviors and attitudes (t=4.778, p.001) and diminished quality of life
(t=4.305, p.001), with binge eating group revealing higher scores. Interestingly, both groups
did not differ on measures of self-criticism, self-compassion, mindfulness and restricting food
intake. Clinical implication: the importance of delivering differentiated interventions for obese
patients with or without BED, with binge eaters requiring special focus on developing
acceptance and body-image cognitive defusion.
10. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A case series
approach
Subtopic: IRAP
Lauren Roche, Universities of Lincoln and Nottingham
David Dawson, DClinPsyc, University of Lincoln
Nima Moghaddam, DClinPsyc, University of Lincoln
Background Acceptance is understood to be an important element in coping and living with

chronic illnesses such as diabetes and chronic pain - increasing acceptance has been related to
a number of positive outcomes such as reduced symptoms as well as greater reported quality
of life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychotherapeutic model aimed at
increasing psychological flexibility, and sees increasing acceptance as a key process underlying
change. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a disabling and not uncommon disorder, is associated
with a poor reported quality of life even in comparison to other chronic conditions therefore
an intervention such as ACT could increase acceptance, there are promising implications for
coping and living with CFS. This would furthermore have interesting implications for future
service provision and client care. Method This study used a multiple single case series
approach. Six participants were recruited from a specialist NHS service, and after completing a
baseline period of measures, took part in a six week guided self help intervention, based on
the text Get out of your life and into your mind by Steven Hayes. The lead researcher
telephoned each participant once a week. Frequent and mixed method data collection
throughout the intervention was used to gather detailed information participants completed
thrice weekly questionnaires assessing ACT and CFS variables; there was a behavioural
measure in the form of a Fitbit activity monitor; this data was complimented by qualitative
data from a change interview at the end of the study. Finally an implicit measure in the form of
the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) was taken at the beginning, middle and
end of the study as an interesting addition to the self-report data. Results This study is
currently on-going the data is due to be completed by May, and so preliminary results will be
available for discussion at the conference in July. Data will be analysed in each case with visual
analysis and testing for statistically significant change. Discussion I will look to discuss any
change in the participants across all of the measures. I will be able to explore whether change
occurs in line with ACT theory, and the implicit measure will further allow interesting
theoretical exploration of the nature of any change. These initial results can also be used to
discuss implications for ACT in this format as an adjunct to current treatment for individuals
with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
11. Stop Thinking, Start ACTing The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
in an Inpatient Sample of a Psychiatric Department
Subtopic: Effectiveness of ACT in a naturalistic setting
Mareike Pleger, M.Sc. Psych., Evangelisches Krankenhaus Knigin Elisabeth Herzberge (KEH),
Berlin
Karolin Treppner, M.Sc. Psych., Humboldt University Berlin
Objective. Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) is a young approach, which evolved
from the so called third wave of behavior therapy. ACT is a contextual approach, which
expands traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by, inter alia, mindfulness and valued
living. It has not been unequivocally clarified yet, if ACT is superior to CBT. However, previous
research findings indicate ACT to be generally efficacious. Even though ACT is increasingly
applied in clinical practice, only little research has been conducted in this field. Hence, to
examine the effectiveness of ACT compared to CBT, further investigations are needed. The
present study aims to explore the therapeutic effect of ACT and CBT groups within a
naturalistic setting, taking possible influencing factors into account. Method. Sixty-seven
inpatients of a German psychiatric department were assessed with respect to different
symptom measures as well as ACT-specific outcomes. Results. Regarding to symptom
reduction, both ACT and CBT proved to be equally effective treatments. ACT-specific variables
turned out to have an influence on therapeutic success. Conclusion. Results suggest ACT to be
an equivalent alternative to CBT. Findings are discussed in terms of to what extend outcomes
of ACT and CBT are distinct and which variables may be influential.
12. Perceived Injustice and its Impact on Physical and Emotional Functioning: The Mediating
Role of Chronic Pain Acceptance
Subtopic: Acceptance, Chronic Pain, Perceived Injustice
Marie-Eve Martel, M.A., D. Ps. (c), Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
Frdrick Dionne, Ph.D., Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
Joel Gagnon, Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
Background: Perceived injustice can be defined as a negative appraisal regarding irreparability

and severity of loss associated to pain, and feelings of blame and injustice (Sullivan, 2008).
Recent findings suggest that perceived injustice is an important risk factor associated to
chronic pain disability. However, few research studies have examined its role within a clear
theoretical framework, and the mechanisms by which this perception leads to disability are
unknown. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT, Hayes et al., 2012) is considered as a
highly validated approach by the American Psychological Association. Acceptance of chronic
pain, a central variable in this model, has been associated to better physical and emotional
functioning in individuals who live with chronic pain. Acceptance of pain implies staying active
on a daily basis and cultivating an open attitude towards pain symptoms (McCracken et al.,
2014). Acceptance could prove to be an explanative variable in the relation between perceived
injustice and pain disability (Scott et al., 2013). Method: The current study aims to examine the
mediating role of pain acceptance on the relation between perceived injustice and physical
and emotional functioning, within a sample of 801 individuals who suffer from chronic pain.
Results: Results of mediation analysis revealed significant direct and indirect links between
perceived injustice, acceptance of pain, pain disability, and anxiety and depressive symptoms,
thus confirming the proposed mediation models. Discussion: Clinical and theoretical
implications will be discussed along with future research directions. Keywords: Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT), Chronic Pain, Acceptance, Perceived Injustice, Pain Disability
13. Psychological Inflexibility for Pain: Translation and Validation for a French-Speaking
Population
Subtopic: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Chronic Pain, Psychological Inflexibility,
Translation
Marie-Eve Martel, M.A., D. Ps. (c), Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires (Canada)
Frdrick Dionne, Ph.D., Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires (Canada)
Aurlie Gauchet, Universit de Grenoble (France)
Yamina Zouikri-Roland, Unit-Douleur. Clinique Clmentville, Montpellier (France)
Emmanuelle Decker, Universit de Montpellier
Raphal Trouillet, Laboratory Epsylon EA4556 (Montpellier)
Rikard Wicksell, Karolinsca Institutet (Sweden)
Jean-Louis Monests, Universit de Grenoble (France)
Background: A growing number of studies have provided empirical support for the use of
Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT) in the treatment of chronic pain. The
psychological flexibility model can be seen as a basis for integration and progress in
psychological approaches to pain (McCracken & Morley, 2014). Further research is needed to
clarify the role of the ACT processes in their relationship to physical and emotional functioning.
Several measures have been developed specifically to assess ACT processes related to chronic
pain, like acceptance and values. Recently, the Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS;
Wicksell et al., 2010, 2008) has been developed to measure avoidance and fusion, and its
relationship to disability has been demonstrated. More research is needed to support its role
in chronic pain, related to other variables. Furthermore, the PIPS is not yet available in French
for clinicians or researchers. Method: This study aims to translate and validate a French
version of the Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS; Wicksell et al., 2010), a brief 12item questionnaire, among a large sample of French-speaking individuals. Our sample was
comprised of 1,077 individuals from both Quebec (Canada) and France who suffer from
chronic pain. Results: An exploratory factor analysis was conducted using unweighed least
square as the extraction method and Promax as the rotation method, thus allowing the factors
to correlate. As expected, results revealed a two-factor structure (cognitive fusion and
avoidance) with coefficients ranging from .36 to .85, and explaining 51% of the total variance.
Furthermore, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted using AMOS 20 to confirm
the bifactor structure of the PIPS and results were very similar to the original version (Wicksell
et al., 2010). The PIPS questionnaire demonstrates very good internal consistency (Cronbachs
alpha = .89). Convergent validity for the Quebec part of the sample was established with other
measures, such as the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (r = .66, p < .01), the Chronic Pain Acceptance
Questionnaire (r = -.73, p < .01), the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (r = .52, p < .01), and the
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (r = -.49, p < .01). Predictive validity was also established
with multiple regression analysis and the French version of the PIPS predicted pain disability
(R = .04, p < .05) as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression (R = .04, p < .05)
independently of chronic pain acceptance. Discussion: Implications and future research

directions will be put forward as these results provide support for the use of the French
version of the PIPS, as much in clinical practice as in research.
14. Processess of change in ACT and AR for longstanding pain analyses of weekly
assessments
Subtopic: Pain
Mike Kemani, Behavioural Medicine Pain Treatment Services, Karolinska University Hospital
Hugo Hesser, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linkping University, Linkping,
Sweden
Background Thus far, a number of studies indicate the clinical utility of acceptance and
commitment therapy (ACT) for longstanding pain (Wicksell et al., 2008; Wicksell et al., 2012). A
few studies have explored the mediating role of psychological (in)flexibility in comparison with
other potential mediators e.g. catastrophizing, on pain interference and disability (Wicksell,
Olsson, & Hayes, 2010). However, the temporal precedence of changes in the mediator in
relation to the outcome has not been assessed in studies evaluating mediation in ACT for
chronic pain. In a previous study we evaluated the efficacy of ACT and applied relaxation (AR)
for longstanding pain (Kemani et al., under review). The aims of the present studies was to
evaluate if psychological inflexibility would mediate reductions in pain interference in the ACTcondition and if catastrophizing would mediate reductions in pain interference in the ARcondition. Method Participants (n = 60), adults with longstanding pain (> 6 months) received
12 weekly group-sessions of ACT or AR. Data was collected weekly, post-treatment, and at 3and 6-month follow-up. Data was analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Results and
discussion Results showed that psychological mediated changes in pain interference in ACT,
but not in AR. Limitations and strengths of the study will be discussed. Also, results will be
discussed in relation to previous research in the field, and as well to potential future research.
15. Low-grade inflammation moderates the effect of behavioral treatment for chronic pain in
adults
Subtopic: Inflammation in longstanding pain in adults
Mike Kemani, Behavioural Medicine Pain Treatment Service, Karolinska University Hospital
Julie Lasselin, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Introduction: A low-grade activation of inflammatory processes has been hypothesized as a

contributor of non-specific longstanding pain. The utility of behavioral interventions for
chronic pain is fairly well established. However, the influence of behavioral treatment on lowgrade inflammation is uncertain. In addition, the moderating role of inflammatory markers in
behavioral interventions for chronic pain has not yet been addressed. Method: In the present
study, forty-eight patients suffering from chronic pain were randomized to two different types
of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or applied
relaxation (AR). Interventions consisted of twelve weekly group sessions. Pain intensity, pain
disability, psychological inflexibility, acceptance of pain, health-related quality of life were
evaluated by self-assessment questionnaires at pre- and post-treatment, as well as medication
intake and circulating concentrations of the inflammatory markers, IL-6, TNF- and IL-8.
Results: Improvements in the self-report questionnaires were seen following CBT, in particular
after ACT. Reduction in medication intake and TNF- levels were also observed. Importantly,
concentrations of inflammatory markers prior to CBT significantly moderated the treatment
effect, i.e. higher pre-treatment levels of IL-6 and TNF- were related to less improvement in
pain intensity, psychological inflexibility and mental health-related quality of life across
conditions. Discussion: Altogether, results indicated that behavioral interventions for pain may
reduce inflammation and suggest that pre-existing low-grade inflammatory state can reduce
the beneficial effect of treatment.
16. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Pain: A Comprehensive Theory-based

Systematic Review
Subtopic: Pain
Marie Kanstrup, Behavioural Medicine Pain Treatment Services, Karolinska University Hospital
Background: Recent developments within cognitive-behavioral therapy include Acceptance

and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A growing number of clinical trials suggest the utility of this
approach, and ACT was recently listed as an empirically supported treatment for chronic
unspecific methodological perspective. The aim of the present study was to provide a broad
theory-based systematic overview of studies on ACT and pain. Method and Results: In
accordance with PRISMA guidelines, systematic searches were conducted to identify original
and peer-reviewed articles published between 1997 and 2014 evaluating ACT in relation to
pain. A total of 153 articles were included based on study criteria, and classified as crosssectional (n = 89), treatment evaluation (n = 40), laboratory based (n = 18), or qualitative (n =
6). The results illuminate several patterns, for example results illustrate the scarcity of studies
with subgroups of patients (e.g. children) or studies assessing for example cost-effectiveness
and long-term effects. Discussion: Clinical and research implications are discussed, and future
directions for research on ACT and pain are suggested.
17. The Prosociality of Compassion: Relating to self and other

Subtopic: Compassion
Owen Rachal, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Jessica Auzenne, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Grayson Butcher, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Emily Sandoz, Ph.D., University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Research on self-compassion has linked the concept to psychological health and well-being,
decreases in negative affect and stress responses, increases in social connection and kindness
toward the self and others, as well as other-focused concern (Jazaieri et al., 2013; Neff &
Pommier, 2013). Altruistic behavior is a possible mediator of the relationship between
increases in social connection and other-focused concern and associated increases in selfcompassion (Jazaieri et al., 2013; Neff & Pommier, 2013; Smeets et al., 2014). This
presentation will discuss a study on the ways in which people relate to themselves and others.
Self-compassion and psychological flexibility were examined, using questionnaires as well as
ecological momentary assessments (EMA), in order to investigate the relationships between
indicators of psychological well-being, valuing, empathy, and altruistic behavior. Preliminary
findings indicate relationships among compassion and these other variables, which we argue
warrants additional and increasingly precise inquiry into the contexts which foster these
prosocial behaviors.
18. Increasing pro-sociality through a Deictic Frame Training to Decrease Challenge Behaviors
for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Subtopic: Deictic Framing, Perspective Taking, Challenge Behavior, Intellectual Disabilities
Giada Pietrabissa, Istituto Auxologico Italiano
Martina Ceccarini
Chiara Spatola
Valentina Villa
Annalisa Caretti
Alessandro Musetti
Gian Mauro Manzoni
Silvia Ruggiero
Background: The approaches to treat intellectual disabilities and, more in general, adults with
chronic psychiatric issues or Intellectual Disabilities (ID) are often more psychiatry-based than
multidisciplinary and, in many situations, long-term hospitalization is the preferred choice. In
Italy special residential facilities are available for long-time or even life-time hospitalization
aimed at promoting a better quality of life and at fostering rehabilitation. Behavioral sciences
had been proven effective to promote autonomies and foster quality of Life for individuals
with Intellectual Disabilities or chronic psychiatric conditions. In particular, Contextual
Behavioral Science could help the implementation of generally broaden interventions aimed at
increasing Quality of Life, social inclusion, prosociality, decreasing stigma, etc. Challenge
Behaviors are among the main problems for individuals with ID resident in Assisted Living
Facilities and the strategies to reduce them could dramatically improve their QoL. Behavioral
strategies aimed directly at decreasing problem behaviors are effective but sometimes this is
not enough. In many cases, challenge behaviors are driven and susteneid by inadequate social
and relational skills. Method: We implemented Deictic Relational protocol for subjects with
moderate intellectual disability. Results: In this exploratory study we tested the effect of a
deictic relations protocol to promote the acquisition of deictic frames, a core component for
perspective taking, social skills, and also empathy skills and a consequent decrease of
challenge behaviors. Discussion: Although results seems promising, due to methodological
limitations, the link to through the implementation of the protocol and the reduction of
problem behaviors needs to be further deepened.
20. ACTraining for the Taiwanese Parents of Children with Disabilities

Subtopic: Parents, mental health, ACTraining, Group
Shinji TANI, Ph.D., Ritsumeikan University
Yuanhong JI, Ph.D., Ritsumeikan University
Nien-Hwa LAI, Ph.D., National Taipei University of Education
Background We developed the ACTraining program for the parents of children with disabilities,
and conducted the research to show the effectiveness of the program in Japanese parents.
TANI & KITAMURA (2014) showed that psychological flexibility was the predictive factor of
depression and psychological QOL of the parents. One of the aims of this research is to
investigate the studying effects under different conditions. Another aim is to examine the
cultural differences between Japanese parents and Taiwanese parents when the ACTraining is
provided. Methods Participants; 26 Taiwanese parents of children having disabilities attended
the program (M=1, W=25, mean age=50.2y, range 28-62y ). Mean child age was 17.4y (range
9-32). Methods; The program was implemented by group format. The textbook and PP slides
used in Japan were translated into Chinese. Participants were divided two classes, and
attended the program for two days (about six hours). Measures; BDI-II (Chinese ver.) was used
as the outcome measure. AAQ-II (Chinese ver.) was used as the process measure. Pre-test/
Post-test design was used to investigate the effectiveness of the program. Results The score of
BDI-II and AAQ-II was decreased significantly after finishing the program (BDI-II;p<.01 ES;
d=1.31, AAQ-II; p<.01, ES; d=1.89). The significant correlation was found between the score of
pre-test AAQ-II and the change score of BDI-II (r=.49, p<.05). Discussion These results showed
that the program was effective under the different condition. It was probable that the
psychological flexibility of the participants was related to depressive symptoms of the parents.
It was difficult to translate some ACT words, such as experimental avoidance, defusion,
psychological flexibility, and so on, into Chinese. Because these words were necessary to
express with Kanji. Some exercises and metaphors were needed to modify to fit Chinese
culture.
21. Transdiagnostic Occupational Rehabilitation: Patients Experiences with Acceptance and

Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Mixed Groups of Musculoskeletal and Common Mental
Disorders
Subtopic: Occupational Rehabilitation
Sigmund Gismervik, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine,
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim
Egil Fors, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian
University of Science and Technology, Trondheim
Marius Fimland, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine,
Roar Johnsen, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine,
Marit B. Rise, Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine,
Background: Several randomized trials are currently assessing the efficacy of ACT in
occupational rehabilitation. In one of these an ACT based occupational rehabilitation program
was developed for musculoskeletal, common mental and unspecific symptom disorders.
Participants with different diagnoses were mixed in a 3 week inpatient and mainly group
based intervention. The aim of this study was to explore patient experiences with
transdiagnostic occupational rehabilitation and how their experiences reflected the intended
ACT core processes. Method: Twenty-three participants were included in five focus group
interviews at the end of their stay. Findings from phenomenological and thematic analysis
were reflected upon the six core processes in the ACT model. Results: Participants described
changes in perspectives that reflected varying degrees of comprehension, integration and
implementation of the intended processes in the ACT model. Participants talked about an
increasing awareness and mindful presence but there were few statements indicating
awareness of self as a process. A mix of diagnoses within treatment groups was perceived by
participants as strengthening the program. Participants talked about behaviour changes in
direction of values. Committed actions indicating immediate return to work were not
mentioned. Conclusions: A transdiagnostic group based approach in occupational
rehabilitation has a potential to reach larger proportion of people on sick-leave compared to
diagnosis-specific and more individualised programs. In this study we found mainly positive
participant experiences with the transdiagnostic program and that the approach of mixing
musculoskeletal and common mental disorders may have facilitated openness. However, few
statements made by participants regarding immediate return to work raise the question of
return to work efficacy.
22. Why don't I do what I want to do?: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy based
psychotherapeutic intervention to overcome procrastination
Subtopic: Procrastination
Sol Casassus Montero, Pontifical University Catholic of Chile & University of Chile
Domingo Salvo Rivera, Pontifical University Catholic of Chile & University of Chile
Lydia Gmez Prez, Pontifical University Catholic of Chile
Results from empirical studies have supported the hypothesis that procrastination can be
understood as a way of experiential avoidance. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
provides a coherent and comprehensive model for understanding and intervening on

experiential avoidance. Even though in ACT there are some group interventions for this
problem, there is a lack of studies on individual psychotherapeutic settings. We present in this
study a systematic review of interventions for procrastination treatment. A also, we propose a
individual psychotherapy design aim to reduce procrastination. This intervention is based on
ACT and integrates strategies that have proven effective for the procrastination treatment
(e.g., time management and self-management). We specified some aspects that clinicians
should identify in order to assess what is influencing the person to procrastinate and specific
interventions for better outcomes. This is an in course research, in which subsequently we will
implement and evaluate the effect of the proposed intervention.
23. The Effects of Reason for living in Depression and Suicidal Ideation
Subtopic: Depression, Reason for living , Suicidal Ideation
So-young Park, Ph.D. student, Seoul Women's University Graduate School
Therapeutic Technology in Korea
Kyung Park, Ph.D., professor, Seoul Women's University Graduate School
Sehee Park, Master's student, Seoul Women's University Graduate School
Yeongmi Yang, Master student, Seoul Women's University Graduate School
Jeongah Lee, Master student, Seoul Women's University Graduate School
of Professional
of Professional
of Professional
of Professional
of Professional
The present study examined the effectiveness of Reason for Living in depressed university
students and suicidal ideation in hope of clarifying the reason why they did not commit suicide
even though they had suicidal thoughts. This study examined self-reported versions of the
scale for reason for living, depression, suicidal ideation in 394 Korean university students
(female 297, male 97). The Reason for Living inventory is a scale developed by Linehan (1983)
and validated in a Korean version of the study by Lee et al (2010). This scale consists of 4 subscales (Survival and Coping Beliefs, Fear of Death and Social Disapproval, Family Responsibility
and Child-related concerns, Future Expectation). The findings of this study show that Reasons
for Living as well as all its sub-scales were negatively correlated with depression and suicidal
ideation to depression and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, Reason for Living influenced
depression and suicidal ideation as a partial mediator. Additionally, Reason for Livings subscale of Survival and Coping Beliefs also affected depression and suicidal ideation as partial
mediator. The result of this study suggests Reason for Living is an important factor for suicide
prevention via psychological intervention. Finally, The relationship between ACT (Awareness
and Commitment Therapy) value (Bahraini et al, 2013) and Reason for Living requires further
research.
24. Acceptance and Commitment therapy do we know enough? A sequential meta analysis
of randomized treatment trials.
Subtopic: Anxiety, Depression, Adults
Thomas Hacker, DClinPsy, Universittsmedizin Rostock
Angus MacBeth, Ph.D., DClinPsy, Edinburgh University
Paul Stone, BSs, NHS Fife, Edinburgh University
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has emerged as an alternative to established

models of Cognitive Therapy, emphasising context and experiential facets of psychological
experience. Existing evidence from systematic reviews and meta analyses (Powers et al., 2009)
provides qualified support to the effectiveness of ACT as a psychological intervention when
compared with no intervention. However, data with regards to ACT in comparison to other
psychological therapies are more equivocal. Therefore, clinicians, health service
commissioners and policy makers at present must judge whether the evidence base for ACT is
sufficient to make a confident recommendation regarding its efficacy. Sequential meta
analysis (SMA; Pogue & Yusuf, 1997) uses group sequential boundaries based on the alpha
spending function to measure the accumulation of knowledge across studies, enabling
decisions on the sufficiency of knowledge to recommend treatment to be made based on
statistical properties. This approach, commonly used in the evaluation of medical
interventions, is under-utilised in the evaluation of psychological therapies. We report
outcomes for well-designed, randomized controlled trials of ACT against control conditions
indicating that ACT is an effective treatment for depression, with a moderate post treatment
effect size. SMA suggested that there was significant evidence to make this assertion.
However, the data are more equivocal regarding ACT compared to existing psychological
therapies. Similarly, the data for ACT as a treatment for anxiety are indicative of a more
modest degree of effectiveness. SMA indicated insufficient evidence for ACT as an effective
treatment for anxiety. Our aim was to evaluate the evidence base for ACT as a psychological
intervention for depression and anxiety compared with treatment as usual (TAU), waiting list
control and other evidence-based psychological therapies. We sought to establish: 1) What is
the effect size for ACT compared to control conditions (waiting list/ treatment as usual/active
control) in the treatment of depression and anxiety? 2) Is the evidence base sufficient to
recommend ACT as a psychological intervention for depression and/or anxiety? We applied a
systematic search strategy, using PRISMA guidelines. We selected randomized controlled trials
(RCTs) of acceptance-based treatments for mental and physical health disorders using a
comprehensive search strategy. We searched the following databases: PsycINFO, MEDLINE,
SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Primary outcomes were based on
validated measures of depression and anxiety. Reliability of search strategy and data
extraction was assessed by independent verification by the third author. Effect sizes for
treatment were expressed as standardized mean difference (Cohens d) for independent
groups. We conducted fixed and random effects meta analyses of randomized controlled trials
(incorporating SMA), with measurement of heterogeneity (Q, Tau2 and I2). Publication bias
was examined by linear regression analysis of the funnel plot for included studies. For the SMA
we constructed an Optimal Information Size (OIS) function to determine a threshold for
significant magnitude of association. To control for between-study variance the OIS was
adjusted by degree of heterogeneity, (heterogeneity-adjusted optimal information size; HOIS).
We performed a sequential meta analysis in chronological sequence according to publication
year, using an a-priori random effects model. The OIS was used to construct group sequential
boundaries at each interim analysis using the LanDeMets alpha spending function. This
generates a fixed significant threshold and power for establishing the OIS criterion has been
met. At each interim analysis the sufficiency of the cumulative knowledge can be calculated.
When sufficiency criteria have not been met, additional studies are required to statistically
establish that there is sufficient evidence to recommend the intervention. When criteria are
met at a given analysis we can statistically establish significant evidence of the efficacy of the
intervention in question. If the HOIS is reached at the final analysis Q and boundaries have not
been crossed, the evidence suggests that the cumulative knowledge base is sufficient to refute
the efficacy of the specified intervention, as the SMA is unable to detect the anticipated effect
despite an appropriately specified level of power. We identified k=15 studies representing
n=685 participants receiving ACT, and n=569 participants in the control condition.
Measurement of depression was predominantly via the BDI (1st and 2nd edition), DASS or the
CES-D. Anxiety was predominantly measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait
Anxiety Inventory or DASS. For studies of depression (k=15; Fig 1), using a random effects
model for depression, when ACT was compared with a control condition the post treatment
effect size was d= -0.62 (95% CI = -0.90 to -0.33), indicating a moderate treatment effect for
ACT compared with a control condition (TAU/other therapy or W/L). Study heterogeneity was
significant (I2=78.8%; tau2 = 0.21, p<.0001). When ACT was compared with another
psychological treatment (k=10) effect size dropped to d= -0.10 (95% CI = -0.35; to 0.15),
indicating a negligible effect for the effectiveness of ACT compared with other psychological
treatments. Heterogeneity was low to medium (I2=40.3%; tau2 = 0.06, p<.09). Sensitivity
analyses suggested effects were not affected by depression measure. The effect size on
anxiety for ACT compared with a treatment control (k=12 studies) was d= -0.39 (95% CI = -0.71;
to -0.077), indicating a small to medium effect size for the effectiveness of ACT compared with
control group. Between study heterogeneity was significant (I2=84.5%; Tau2=0.24, p<.0001).
There was no evidence of publication bias for anxiety or depression samples. For depression,
removal of Roemer et al (2008) reduced heterogeneity but did not significantly alter the group
comparison effect size estimates. SMA provided convincing evidence that there is at least a
medium group difference favouring ACT for Depression against control, for a post treatment
effect, as the boundary was crossed before the HOIS was reached (Fig3a). This was significant
with power=.9 and =.01. In contrast, the cumulative Z-value for ACT and anxiety did not cross
the boundary before reaching the HOIS (Fig. 3b), indicating evidence in favour of at least a
medium post treatment effect was not obtained despite a power of 90% The current set of
analyses are limited to the efficacy of ACT in the immediate post treatment phase, thus we
cannot comment upon longer term treatment effects. Nor can we comment on the efficacy of
ACT for other conditions such as psychosis or physical health difficulties. The meta analysis
suggests that although ACT may not be a one size fits all psychological therapy, it is an
effective treatment for depression. Further research is required to ascertain specific
presentations for which ACT may be of benefit as a targeted therapy.
25. Investigating the Effects of a Brief Mindfulness Intervention on the Encoding of Positively
and Negatively Valenced Novel Verbal Stimuli Under an Induced Negative Affect
Varsha Eswara Murthy, B.A., University College Dublin
Louise McHugh; MA, Ph.D., University College Dublin
Background: Major components of mindfulness are the non-judgmental observation and

acceptance of both internal and external stimuli. This study aimed to investigate the effect a
brief mindfulness intervention would have on the encoding of novel positively and negatively
valenced verbal stimuli post induction of a negative affect. Method: Participants were exposed
to either the mindfulness condition or the unfocused attention (active control) condition and
subsequently took part in a learned helplessness task, in order to induce a negative affect.
Following this, participants were presented with and asked to learn 10 positively valenced
(.e.g. rafiki=friend), 10 negatively valenced (.e.g. maiti=corpse) and 10 neutrally valenced (.e.g.
ndoo=bucket) Swahili-English word pairs, after participation in an arithmetic filler task for a
period of one-minute, participants were then presented with the Swahili words and asked to
recall the English equivalents. Results: Analysis showed that those in the mindfulness condition
remembered significantly more positive words than those in the unfocused attention group
and those in the unfocused attention group remembered significantly more negative words
than those in the mindfulness condition. Results also revealed that those in the mindfulness
condition remembered significantly more words in total in comparison to the unfocused
attention group. Discussion: These findings suggest that memory processes as well as the
ability to create a sense of self that is distinguishable from ones thoughts, emotions and
feelings may be potential mechanisms underlying the link between mindfulness and subjective
well-being. Results also suggest that mindfulness may emancipate cognitive resources being
used to regulate ones own emotional state and the emotional content of what is being
learned, which result in better learning outcomes.
26. Which comes first?: Emergence of temporal frame responding in an autistic kid
Subtopic: RFT
Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, Universit Kore, Enna (Italy) & IESCUM, Italy
Davide Carnevali, Universit IULM, Milan & IESCUM, Italy
Arianna Ristallo, Universit IULM, Milan & IESCUM, Italy
Paolo Moderato, Universit IULM, Milan & IESCUM, Italy
Background. Orientation in time is a fundamental ability. Often developmentally typical or

developmentally delayed children show difficulties in learning this skill. They cannot, for
example, order a simple sequence of events or understand how to properly use yesterday,
today and tomorrow. Learning orientation in time allows the child a better autonomy (i.e.
organize everyday activities) and strengthens the acquisition of cause-effect relation. Method.
The present study tested the efficacy of a computerized RFT training (Hayes, Barnes-Holmes,
Roche, 2001) with a 9-years old autistic child. The aim of this training was to teach temporal
relational responses and then to test the maintenance of relational learning with new stimuli
(not presented during the training sessions). During the training phase three familiar
sequences, with three elements each (before, now and after), were used. The task consisted of
27 subsequent matching to sample responses under the control of three verbal contextual
cues (before, now and after). The stimuli (samples, comparisons and contextual cues) were
alternated in instruction blocks, with a specific organization in a matrix model. Results and
discussion. Results showed the acquisition of target temporal responses and the emergence of
mutual and combinatorial entailments. Three new temporal sequences (three steps each)
were tested: results showed the ability to derive correct temporal responses in presence of
non-trained stimuli.
27. Skinners Verbal Behavior heritage: What are behavior analyst really studying?
Subtopic: Verbal behavior, Relation Frame Theory, Applied Behavior Analysis
Siana Saddemi, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Maria Jos Sireci, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Paolo Moderato, PhD, IULM university, Milan (Italy)
Much experimental work has been done after the publication of Skinners Verbal Behavior
(1957), though it took almost 25 years to behavior analysts to generate experimental models
drawn from its theoretical approach. A steady, though, slow increase in experimental work
was observed since the 70s, with an acceleration in the mid 80s, mostly due to the
publication of a dedicated journal, The Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Skinners conceptual
analysis has also given rise to a wide range of applied programs in the educational setting,
mostly with autistic children. Skinner sensed that his book Verbal Behavior (1957) was his most
important work (Sunberg, 1998). But is it true? And what is the real impact of Skinners
analysis in the basic and applied field? A thorough analysis of the papers published on TAVB
was conducted to understand which parts of Skinners taxonomy of verbal operants generated
experimental data and how this influences the way the field progresses. Strong trends in
research with elementary verbal operants emerged, posing some questions on the ease of
experimental models and the biases that this work can generate in the field, especially when
research neglects the multiple causation analysis of the most complex operants that address
cognitive human functioning. Much of the most challenging aspect of human cognitive
behaviors, mainly under-the-skin behaviors, remain almost untouched and unsatisfied by the
few researches and experimental model that VB has generated. At the same time RFT offers an
alternative and compatible model at the operant level to address some of these issues. A
comparative analysis of papers inspired to the theoretical models of VB and to RFT will be
offered to have a sense of what areas are lacking sounded experimental research to be
addressed in future
28. It sounds like Han! Testing the feasibility of a social robot delivered conditional
discrimination training.
Subtopic: RFT, Conditional discrimination task, autism, social robots
Giovambattista Presti, M.D., Ph.D., University Kore, Enna (Italy)
Maria Jos Sireci, University Kore, Enna (Italy)
Daniele Lombardo, Behaviour Labs, Catania (Italy)
Marco Lombardo, Behaviour Labs, Catania (Italy)
Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is a relatively new account of human language and cognition.
According to RFT, such complex human behaviors can be conceptualized as a through an
examination of derived relational responding, tha ability of respond to relations between
stimuli (Hayes, Barnes-Holmes e Roche, 2001). In recent years research has implemente more
and more RFT based training to teach language and other abilities to children with autism in
order to make learning faster and more efficient and increase novel behavior. Most RFT
training included conditional discrimination tasks, that is a discrimination task that depend on
the stimulus context: for example a matching to sample task where the subject has been
trained to select a stimulus in presence of another stimulus (select a triangle when the red
light is on.In this framework, the use of humanoid robots in ABA training serves two main
purposes: 1. The robot, with its characteristics, acts as a motivating element to children and
can make learning more fun. The structural characteristics, together with the ability to
produce words, spontaneously catalyze the child's attention and create a Motivating
Operation to the training 2. The robot can perform some functions today made by operator
who works with the child: we refer in particular to the continuous process of data collection
which, although necessary to ensure the scientific rigor proper of behavior analysy, causes a
considerable expenditure of time and is still subject to human error as well 3. The robot can be
used by less skilled people, like parents or relatives to enhance the occasions of learning in the
child, while maintaing a rigorous procedure We present an interactive solution based on
Robots4autism that is currently under testing for efficacy and effectiveness with autistic kids
and other kids with special needs.
29. The invisible trainer: testing the feasibility of motion tracking technology in conditional
discrimination training
Subtopic: Autism, Relational Frame Theory, Motion tracking, Computer mediated learning
Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, University Kore, Enna (Italy)
Maria Jos Sireci, University Kore, Enna (Italy)
Olga Beltramello, CERN (Geneva, Switzerland)
Matteo Vignoli, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)
Lakshmiprabha Nattamai Sekar, CERN (Geneva, Switzerland)
Clio Dosi, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)
Paolo Moderato, IULM University (Milan, Italy)
The operant is the central unit of behavior analysis useful to understand the interaction
between an organism and its environment and analyze the functional relationship between
independent variables, antecendent and consequences, and the dependent variable, the
behavior (Skinner, 1953). The operant can be better understood like a costant process in which
the interaction between variables (dependent and indipendent) makes learning processes
possible. In this framework operant can be easily implemented by a machine thanks to his
characteristics of repetitiveness and independence from topography. Moreover peculiar
characteristics of ABA analysis (such as the task analysis), match with the analysis necessary for
software and hardware programing (Hoyert, 1992). We tested the feasibility of a conditional
discrimination training delivered with augmented reality platform in which children were
trained to select a stimulus in a range of three other stimuli. A computer with tracking
technology was programmed to recognize and record both correct and wrong responces, and
latency of response over an invisible grid projected on a surface. A procedure to correct and
prompt the response was also implemented and reinforcement was delivered following an FR1
schedule for testing purposes. The use of such a platform can serve training process in many
ways: 1. The platform, with its characteristics, acts as a motivating element to children and can
make learning funnier. 2. The platform can perform some skills today made by operator who
works with the child: we refer in particular to the continuous process of data collection which
and contingent deliver of reinforcement especially with random schedule or time-dependent
schedule, which are delivered by humans with difficulties 3. The motion tracking and invisible
grid allows to use motivating stimuli in the child environment and favors generalization of
responses.
30. Come together!: An exploratory analysis of the complexity of categorization

Subtopic: RFT, Category, language disorders, autism
Melissa Scagnelli, IULM University, Milan (Italy)
Claudio Premarini, Department of Child Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation; "Eugenio
Medea" Scientific Institute, Bosisio Parini, Lecco
Catia Rigoletto, Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio
Parini, Lecco, Italy
Massimo Molteni, Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea,
Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
Paolo Moderato, IULM University (Milan, Italy)
Categorization is a fundamental ability for the development of complex skills, such as thinking,
perception and language. (Lakoff 1987). Relational Frame Theory (RFT) con offer a sound and
simple account of arbitrary categorization offering opportunities to enhance cognitive
performance in new and potentially powerful ways. Three group of children with different
degree of disabilities with autism, specific language disorder and borderline intellectual
functioning were exposed to a conditional discrimination procedure with arbitrary matching to
sample to promote the development of arbitrary categorization. Categorization was
operationalize as symbolic arbitrary equivalence of items (grouping pictures), picture

controlled labeling of items (tacting), picture controlled labeling of categories (tacting), verbal
responses under the control of the category-item verbal response (intraverbal) and itemcategory (intraverbal) verbal responses in a frame of coordination. After testing for Subjects
were trained to select the printed picture of grouped items_1 upon a vocal label of the
category (A-B training), and to select printed picture of grouped items_2 in the presence of
printed picture of grouped items_1 (B-Ct training). After testing for mutual and
combinatorial entailment a four-member class emerged. The results seems to confirm the
importance of a training based on frame of coordination for the acquisition of basic
categorization and challenge the analysis of intraverbals made by Skinner. Pre-post treatment
changes in standardized tests will be presented to show the generalized effect of the training
over language skilles. A number of advantages of this training along with the limits of the study
will be discussed.
31. Use Your Words: An Examination of Student Writing in Response to Experiential Learning
Exercises Targeting Psychological Flexibility
Subtopic: Academics
Tracy Protti, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Emily Allen, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Emmy LeBleu, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Ryan Albarado, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Bronwyn Frederick, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Jada Horton, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Alaina Kiefner, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lauren Griffin, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Emily Kennison Sandoz, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
College students are often faced with a number of transitions across important domains of life.
For many students, academic demands, living conditions, financial status, primary relationships
and social activities undergo repeated changes during the course of their college education.
Psychology of Adjustment is a course designed to teach non-majors fundamental concepts of
psychological health. As currently taught, the course includes primarily experiential
interventions in which students learn the concepts of psychological adjustment by practicing
psychological flexibility in and out of class. Informal student evaluations suggest that these
methods not only ensure intellectual grasp of the concepts but also improve student's
psychological adjustment more broadly. The current qualitative study examines the content of
students' journal assignments in order to identify ways in which the class impacts
psychological flexibility and college adjustment. Preliminary thematic analysis of 157 students'
journal assignments has revealed the following themes: the identification and clarification of
values, observable changes in valued domains of life, the realization that everybody struggles,
the awareness of psychological inflexibility and its consequences, willingness to experience
painful thoughts and feelings, and gratitude for newfound presence in everyday experience.
Implications for future research and course development will be discussed.
32. The Mediating Effect of Experiential Avoidance between Psychological Capital and Work
Performance in Chinese Employees
Subtopic: Positive Organizational Behavior(POB)
Jing Cao, 1. Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of
Sciences. 2. University of Chinese Academy of Sci
Sheng Huang, Roechling Automotive Parts (Kunshan),Ltd
Zhuohong Zhu, 1. Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy
of Sciences. 2. University of Chinese Academy of Sci
Background: Luthans defined psychological capital as an individuals positive psychological

state of development, which is characterized by: (1) having confidence (self-efficacy) to take
on and put in the necessary effort to succeed at challenging tasks; (2) making a positive
attribution (optimism) about succeeding now and in the future; (3) persevering toward goals
and, when necessary, redirecting paths to goals (hope) in order to succeed; and (4) when beset
by problems and adversity, sustaining and bouncing back and even beyond (resiliency) to
attain success. A meta-analysis which included 51 independent samples indicated the expected
significant positive relationships between psychological capital and work performance.
Experiential avoidance is the attempt to change the form, frequency, or situational sensitivity
of experiences even when doing so causes life harm. Several studies showed that acceptance
as an alternative to experiential avoidance can explain and predict employees job satisfaction
and work performance. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims at decreasing
experiential avoidance and improving psychological flexibility. With the combination of eastern
culture, such as Buddhism and Zen, the theories and practices in ACT are suitable for studying
and applying in China. With regard to the vacancy of studies in experiential avoidance related
to positive organizational behavior (POB) in China, we maintained that the present research
would have theorital and practical significance. The aim of the study was to explore the
relationship among experiential avoidance, psychological capital and work performance.
Futhermore, the mediating effect of experiential avoidance between psychological capital and
work performance was tested. Method: A total of 285 validated questionnaires were collected
by cluster sampling in four enterprises. The employees were assessed by Acceptance and
Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition(AAQ-), Psychological Capital Questionnaire(PCQ) and
Work Performance Questionnaire(WPQ). Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS version
20.0. We computed Pearsons correlations and the mediating effects testing procedure which
was proposed by Wen Zhonglin. Results: After controlling sex, age, job, the level of education
and length of service, experiential avoidance is negatively correlated with the total score and
four subscales of psychological capital (r=-0.258~-0.337, ps<0.001), and experiential avoidance
is negatively correlated with five subscales of work performance(r=-0.123~-0.276, ps<0.05).
Experiential avoidance partially mediates the total score of psychological capital and the four
subscales of work performance separately. The standard regression equations are: y1=0.280x0.122m(tx=4.498,p<0.001;
tm=-1.990,p<0.05);
y3=0.170x-0.209m(tx=2.712,p<0.01;tm=3.396,p<0.01);
y4=0.234x-0.124m(tx=3.787,p<0.001;tm=-2.045,p<0.05);
y5=0.169x0.146m(tx=2.554,p<0.05;tm=-2.249,p<0.05)(
y1=Work
Performance-Energy,
y3=Work
Performance-Happy, y4= Work Performance-Focus, y5= Work Performance-Enjoy). While the
mediating effect of experiential avoidance in psychological capital and Work Performance-
Engage is not significant: y2=0.264x-0.031m(tx=4.132,p<0.001;tm=-0.494,p>0.05)( y2= Work

Performance-Engage). Discussion: Experiential avoidance is negatively correlated with
psychological capital and work performance. The preliminary analyse indicated that these
three concepts are related but not identical constructs. Psychological capital can partially
decrease energy, happy, focus and enjoy through experiential avoidance, but it doesnt
influence engage by experiential avoidance. In the applied area, this may enlighten us one
more path to promote employees work performance. That is, we can not only improve their
psychological capital directly, but also decrease their experiential avoidance or increase
acceptance indirectly.
33. Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Weight self-efficacy lifestyle

and Body Mass Index (BMI) in women afflicted with obesity
Subtopic: obesity, adult, acceptance and commitment therapy
Leili Nourian, M.A., Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad branch, Isfahan, Iran
Asghar Aghaei, Ph.D., Islamic azad university, isfahan(khorasgan) branch, Isfahan, Iran
background: The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance
and commitment therapy on weight self-efficacy and body mass index among women afflicted
with obesity in Isfahan(Iran). method: Through a quasi-experimental research with pre-test,
post-test design and three month follow up as well as using convenience sampling method, a
number of 30 women with an obesity diagnosis (BMI30) were chosen according to the criteria
of entering this research project. Then, they were randomly incorporated into experiment and
control groups. The measurement tool was Weight Efficacy of Lifestyle Questionnaire(Clark,
Abrams, Niaura, Eaton & Rossi, 1991). Also BMI was calculated by dividing weight (Kg) by
squared height (m^2). results: The result of covariance analysis indicated that there were
significant increases in weigh self-efficacy lifestyle in all sub scales (including food availability,
social pressure, physical discomfort, negative emotions and fun activity), between
experimental and control groups in pre-test, post-test and follow-up stages. also Results
showed that there were no significant differences in body mass index between the
experimental and control groups at post-test stage. But results showed a significant decrease
in body mass index at follow up(p 0.05). discussion: According to the findings of this research
about the effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on weight self-efficacy and body
mass index, the proposed treatment can be used to improve these variables in women with
obesity.
34. A Positive Framing Bias Flaw in the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP)
Subtopic: IRAP
Brian O'Shea, University of Warwick
Derrick G. Watson, University of Warwick
Gordon D. A. Brown, University of Warwick
How can implicit attitudes best be measured? The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure
(IRAP), unlike the Implicit Association Test (IAT), claims to measure absolute, not just relative,
implicit attitudes. In the IRAP, participants make congruent (Fat Person-Active: False; Fat
Person-Unhealthy: True) or incongruent (Fat Person-Active: True; Fat Person-Unhealthy: False)
responses in different blocks of trials. IRAP experiments have reported positive or neutral
implicit attitudes (e.g., neutral attitudes towards fat people) for prior associations that
normally show negative attitudes on explicit or other implicit measures. It was hypothesized
that these results might reflect a Positive Framing Bias (PFB) that occurs when participants
complete the IRAP. Implicit attitudes towards categories with varying prior associations
(nonwords, social systems, flowers and insects, thin and fat people) were measured. Three
conditions (standard, positive framing, and negative framing) were used to measure whether
framing influenced estimates of implicit attitudes. It was found that IRAP scores were
influenced by how the task was framed to the participants, that the framing effect was
modulated by the strength of prior stimulus associations and that a default PFB led to an
overestimation of positive implicit attitudes when measured by the IRAP. Overall, the findings
question the validity of the IRAP as a tool for the measurement of absolute implicit attitudes. A
new tool (Simple Implicit Procedure: SIP) for measuring absolute, not just relative, implicit
attitudes is proposed.
35. Stigmatisation Attitudes and Psychological Flexibility of Mental Health Professionals

Subtopic: psychological flexibility in mental health professionals,stigma
Fatma Betul Esen, MD, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology
KAASIM FATH YAVUZ, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology
SEVINC ULUSOY, ELAZIG STATE HOSPITAL FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND DISORDERS
TUGBA KARA, NIGDE BOR STATE HOSPITAL
BACKGROUND:Stigmatization is a mark of disgrace that sets a person aside from others and
attributes that reduces an individual from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted
one. It influence psychiatric clients largely. They need to challenge with their symptoms and
the stigma from the society. It diminishes the use of mental health services and medicine. It
causes decrease in functioning. Not only society but also mental health professional stigmatize
the patients. AIM:The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of mental health
professionals to mental disorders and find out whether it is related to psychological flexibility,
burnout and occupational properties. METHOD: The study was carried out with 50
psychiatrists, 50 psychologists and 50 nurses from all over the country (Turkey). Mental Health:
Clinicians Attitudes Scale(MICA), Acceptance and Action Questionaire(AAQ) and Maslach
Burnout Inventory(MBI) were given to attendants. RESULT:There was no significant difference
between groups age, gender and AAQ scores. There was significant difference between
groups training, % 82 of psychologists % 48 of psychiatrists and % 16 of nurses said that they
attended to a therapy training. The ones who dont have therapy training had lower score on
Personal Accomplishment scale of MBI. MICA(stigmatising attitudes) scores were higher for
nurses compared to psychiatrist and psychologists. Nurses and psychologists think that the
etiology of mental disorders is best explained by psychoanalytic theory; but psychiatrists think
that is biological theory. Pharmacology is preferred by psychiatrists and nurses in the first line
treatment of mental disorders, and psychologists prefer cognitive therapy. The ones who
prefer pharmacology in the first line have higher MBI scores. MICA scores were negative
correlated with age and the years in the mental health services. The years in the mental
health services is negative correlated with AAQ and positive correlated with Personal
Accomplishment scale of MBI. DISCUSSION: We found that score of Personal Accomplishment
scale was higher in the group who have therapy training and %16 of nurses had a therapy
training; it was the lowerest percentage among the groups. It may show that therapy training
lowers the stigmatising attitude and make the person feel more competent. The ones who
prefer pharmacology in the first line have higher MBI scores; so applying therapy skills in the
clinical practice may lower burnout. Negative correlation between the years in the mental
health services and AAQ MICA scores can be result from experience, experience can
enhance the empathy. The nurses spend more time with clients and they expose to their
negative attitudes more. Their higher MICA scores may be result of it.
36. Stigmatisation Attitudes and Psychological Flexibility of Mental Health Nurses

Subtopic: Stigma
Merve Terzioglu, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology
K.Fatih Yavuz, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology
Sevinc Ulusoy, Elazig State Hospital for Mental Health Disorders
Huseyin Sehid Burhan, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology
Background: Stigmatisation is described as the prejudiced behaviour accompanying the feeling

toward the person who was considered to be different. Stigmatising attitudes are more
common toward to individuals with mental disorders than those who suffer from physical
diseases. Loss of functionality has been found to be correlated with the level of stigmatisation
of individuals with mental disorders. Stigmatising attitudes may also be seen among mental
health professionals and these attitudes may prevent patients to apply mental health services.
In this study we aimed to assess nurses attitudes toward mental disorders and investigate its
relation with sociodemographic and occupational properties, psychological flexibility and level
of burnout. Method: The study was carried out with 143 nurses working in mental health area
from all over the country. Mental Health: Clinicians Attitudes (MICA), Acceptance and Action
Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scales and Sociodemographic
Data Form were administered to participants. MBI had 3 subscales; Emotional Exhaustion(EE),
Depersonalisation(DP) and Personal Accomplishment(PA). Results: 108 of the participants
were female, 35 were male. There was no significant difference between scales among gender
groups. Approximately %35 of nurses think biological theory as the best explanation for the
etiology of mental disorders and they commonly prefer pharmacotherapy as the first line
treatment. Participants who prefers pharmacotherapy as first line treatment had higher
burnout scores. Therapy training was rare among nurses; only 30 of them(%21) had a therapy
training. Individuals who had therapy training had higher scores on MBI scale and also on EE
and DP subscales of MBI. There was no significant difference on AAQ-II and MICA according to
therapy training. The ones who had relatives with mental illnesses(%27.3) had higher scores on
AAQ-II. MBI and PA scores were negatively correlated with age. MICA scores were positively
correlated with AAQ-II and MBI. Also there was a positive correlation between AAQ-II and MBI.
Discussion: Burnout scores were higher in nurses who had therapy training. This finding may
be due to limitations related to their working conditions and not having opportunity to apply
their professional skills. Psychological inflexibility was associated with both stigmatisation
attitudes and burnout scores. Stigmatisation attitude may be learned verbally, or it may be due
to unwilligness to experience negative thoughts and emotions about patients that ends up
with avoidance behaviour related to psychological inflexibility. Increase in vocational burnout
could also be the result of escape and avoidance behaviour from negative thoughts and
emotions. ACT approach that based on psychological flexibility may be useful to alter
stigmatising attitudes of nurses.
37. Flow in Context: Approaching Positive Psychology's Optimal Experiences

Subtopic: Positive Psychology
Grayson Butcher, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Emily Sandoz, Ph.D., University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Research into the optimal experience of flow began with Mihalyi Chiksentmihalyi, who was
drawn to the single-minded focus with which artists became absorbed in their craft
(Chiksentmihalyi, 1990). Flow is now considered as one of three optimal experiences by
positive psychologists, the other two being spirituality and mindfulness (Lopez, Pedrotti, &
Snyder, 2014). Together these experiences are said to be indicative of a deeper and more
purpose-filled quality of living that is invigorated with novelty, absorption, and the sacred.
Processes of the psychological flexibility model, as well as deictic framing, have been utilized to
functionally approach these topics. However, little research has been done on flow specifically.
This conceptual paper will examine the research done on flow thus far. The purpose of this
analysis is threefold: 1) to discuss, in a preliminary and conceptual manner, the necessary and
sufficient conditions (behavior-environment relations) which may account for the experience
of flow, 2) to identify explanatory gaps worthy of further inquiry, and 3) to situate the analysis
of flow within CBSs reticulated, progressive scientific enterprise.
38. Parental Experiential Avoidance on the Parental Acceptance and Action Questionnaire
(PAAQ) Relates to Higher Parental Stress and Higher Child Defiance: Evidence from a
community sample of Greek-speaking parents
Subtopic: Parental Experiential Avoidance
Anthi Loutsiou, PsyD, University of Cyprus

Anastasios Matsopoulos, PhD, University of Crete
Andri Anastasiou, M.A., University of Cyprus
Background The Parental Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (PAAQ) (Cheron, Ehrenreich &
Pincus, 2009) is a 15-item measure for parents acceptance of their childs emotions and
commitment to acting in a valued way. In the norming sample, the original scale yields a total
score, an inaction subscale and an unwillingness subscale in the parenting role. Method The
PAAQ was translated in Greek using the front and back translation method and the original
scoring instructions were maintained. Its psychometric properties and ecological validity were
tested in a community sample of Greek speaking parents (N=162 Greek speaking parents (136
mothers, 26 fathers) of 3-8 year old children who participated in clinical trials of the 6-week
Parenting the Strong Willed Child (PSWC) training program. Results The 15-item adaptation of
the PAAQ internal consistency was below the recommended cut-off and inter item correlations
were lower than expected. Problematic items were removed resulting in an 8-item scale with
borderline acceptable alpha coefficient. Paired samples t-tests showed no significant results
for the PAAQ Total Score . The factorial structure of the scale will be further tested using
exploratory factor analyses. Correlational analysis of the PAAQ and parent-report measures
suggest adequate concurrent validity with the Strengths and Difficulty Questionnaire-Conduct
Problems ( p < .05). As expected, parents with children higher on the Defiance Scale of the
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory also scored higher on the PAAQ (p < .05). Further, parents
with higher experiential avoidance also reported statistically significantly higher Parental
Distress on the Parenting Stress Inventory- Short Form (PSI-SF) (p < .05). Discussion The PAAQ
does not appear to have the same factor structure across samples but it may be a useful
instrument in clinical trials of parent training programs for disruptive behaviors given the
importance of parental avoidance in taking action in the context of the parenting role.
39. Application and effectiveness of ACT in the satellite office with the support for the
employment of persons with disabilities
Subtopic: Workplace, Ssatellite office with the support, Schizophrenia, Neurodevelopmental
disorder
Fumiki Haned, Senior vocational counselor, Startline.Co.Ltd
In order to realize the employment of persons with disabilities by companies, Startline.Co.Ltd

offers a supported satellite office services. Working people with various disabilities in satellite
office with the supportRecently, there has been increasing employment of people with
mental disorders, difficulty of support towards stability of employment has become a problem.
We solve this problem by implementing the ACT in individual or group format. ACT in the
workplace, and work hours, we observed the effect of preventing anxiety and drowsiness.
These effects have also appeared on indicators such as improvement and stability of
attendance rate. In this poster, I will report some of these case studies, and discuss
implementation methods and effects of ACT in the workplace of people with disabilities. Also, I
would like to consider the impact of these effects have on corporate managemen
40. Successful smoking self-quitting and psychological flexibility

Subtopic: Smoking behavior
Jesus Gil Roales-Nieto, Ph.D., University of Almeria, Spain
Emilio Moreno San Pedro, Ph.D., University of Huelva
Rodrigo Crdoba Garca, M.D., University of Zaragoza, Spain
Bartolom Marn Romero, M.A., University of Almeria, Spain
Rosa Jimnez Lpez, Ph.D., iversidad de Almera (University of Almeria in Spain)
Agustina Silvano Arranz, M.A., Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Spain
Isabel R. Fernndez Lao, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Spain
Genoveva Granados Gmez, Ph. D., University of Almeria, Spain
Mnica Hernndez Lpez, Ph.D., from the University of Jan, Spain
Background The health consequences of smoking and the benefits of cessation are extensive
and perfectly documented. Nevertheless, the majority of smokers continue smoking in spite of
the legislative, preventive and care efforts to reduce smoking, even after the diagnosis of
diseases directly related to smoking. The treatment of smoking behavior presents a small rate
of success, independently of the specific treatment, with better results for pharmacological
and / or psychological interventions. Data indicates that a smokers minority chooses to
abandon with professional treatments, whereas unassisted cessation (self-quitting) remains
the preferred method for most smokers. The professional assisted option has been widely
evaluated and we have relatively precise information that indicates the efficiency of some
treatments and the superiority of pharmacological treatments in combination with
psychological treatments. Nevertheless, most smokers choose the self-quitting option which
has not been studied with detail that provides information, for example, about the variables
related to the success and the failure in this practice. Also, it has not been studied in depth the
relationship between Psychological Flexibility (PF) and smoking cessation. Research has shown
that PF is inversely associated with a wide range of negative psychological outcomes, including
depressive symptoms, anxiety, general psychological ill-health, and emotional distress in
stressful interpersonal contexts. The main objective of the present study is to analyze the
relationship between psychological flexibility measured by the Acceptance and Action
Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and the success or failure in the smoking cessation in self-quitter
smokers. Method 288 people that tried to quit on their own (37% women) participated in the
study. They were categorized in two groups: smokers (n= 71, people that failure in selfquitting) and ex-smokers (n= 217, people with successful self-quitting) using self-report of
continuous abstinence (report of no smoking since a specific cessation attempt) supported by
analyses of carbon monoxide using measures obtained by a CO-oximeter. We used the Spanish
version of AAQ-II (7 items) to assess PF. Results We found no significant differences in the
success or failure to stop smoking, nor in the PF score based on gender, or variables related to
smoking (i.e., years of consumption, number of cigarettes smoked daily, etc.). Smokers that
failure in self-quitting showed an average score of 26.45 in PF. Ex-smokers (people with
successful self-quitting) showed an average score of 32.13 in PF. Analysis by t-test for
independent samples showed statistically significant differences between the means of the
two groups (t = 6,194; p < 0,01). 100% of participants that showed a low level of PF failed in
their attempt to quit. However, 89% of participants that showed a high level of PF succeeded
in self-quitting smoking. Discussion Participants who were successful in quitting smoking on
their own showed PF scores significantly higher than participants who failed. The results show
that psychological flexibility can facilitate success in the attempt to stop smoking without
professional help. Implications and limitations of this study will be discussed.
41. ACT Resilience Building in Schools: A Pilot

Julia Kostiuk Warren, DClinPsy, ProCARE Psychological Services
Casey Mendiola, DClinPsy, ProCARE Psychological Services
Background We work as part of the Enhanced School Based Health Services (ESBHS)
programme, in which four primary health organisations, in conjunction with the Auckland
District Health Board, are working together to provide primary physical and mental health
services in low decile secondary schools. This is the first time in New Zealand that clinical
psychologists have been employed to work specifically in secondary schools. We are the two
psychologists who currently work in this programme, and between us cover seven secondary
schools in the Auckland area. All of these schools have decile ratings of between 1 and 3 (a
decile rating indicates the extent to which schools draw their students from low socioeconomic communities; the lower the decile the higher proportion of students from these
communities), and have high populations of Maori and Pacific island students, who are overrepresented in the negative statistics of physical health, crime, and mental health in New
Zealand. After working in the schools for six months, mainly providing individual support to
students, we wanted to work more widely within our schools, focusing on early intervention
and prevention, as well as continuing to be able to provide therapy for students who were
struggling to cope. We decided to use our ACT training and experience to develop a schoolbased ACT resilience-building group. We hoped to be able to fit our group within the school
timetable (where most schools have five one-hour periods per day), to make it relevant and
helpful to our student populations, with an ultimate aim of having our group accepted into the
school curriculum. Method We discussed our concept with school staff, and there was
significant support. We researched the current literature around adolescent ACT groups and
found that the majority were structured into approximately 10 sessions of at least two hours'
duration. This was considered to be too long for our purpose, so we distilled our group content
into six one-hour sessions, each covering a separate topic Mindfulness, Defusion, Open Up
and Make Room, Values, Committed Action, and Putting it All Together. We brainstormed and
researched relevant activities, developed participant workbooks and facilitator guides for
consistency of delivery, and gathered resources. Outcome measures were selected based on
use in previous adolescent ACT studies, ease of use and brevity. Because participants were
drawn from the general student population we did not measure symptoms of mental ill-
health. Limited time could be spent completing measures due to time constraints. We wanted
to assess psychological flexibility, mindfulness, personal well-being, and students' evaluations
of the group. Measures: Acceptance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth (AFQ-Y), Life
Satisfaction - Teen Survey, Personal Wellbeing Index for School Children (PWI-SC), Mindful
Attention Awareness Scale for Children (MAAS-C), and Group Session Rating Scale (GSRS).
Results Five schools agreed to trial the group in term 1, 2015; four in classes and one in a small
group. Because of the exploratory nature of our project we decided to be as flexible as we
could and follow each schools lead with regard to our group participants. Because of this,
three of our class groups were low functioning Year 9 classes, while the fourth was a
mainstream Year 9 Health class. Participants: 67 adolescents; age range 12-14. Female - 44%;
Male - 56%. Ethnicity: NZ Maori - 12%; Pacific Island - 74%; Pakeha (European) - 10%; Asian 4%. Issues identified were clustered into themes: time constraints, working with cognitively
challenged adolescents, and adapting to cultural context, age and stage. Time constraints
limited our capacity to comprehensively assess participants' understanding of the concepts,
and limited our use of outcome measures. The students in three of our five groups were lower
in cognitive ability than we expected when planning our project, meaning that we adapted
some of the material as we went along, removing some of the more abstract and complex
explanations and exercises that required reading/writing. All of our participants were also
younger adolescents,which further affected their ability to understand concepts such as
metacognition. One of us (CM) is Maori and the other (JKW) is Pakeha, so neither of us is from
the same cultural background as the majority of our participants. Discussion As predicted
schools supported our group programme, to an even greater extent than we had hoped. We
were able to run our group in five schools, with plans for more groups through the rest of the
year. Key selling points were the idea of resilience-building, that it could fit into the school
timetable, that we could work with larger groups of students, and that we were flexible about
who could participate. This enabled us to take our group into the classroom setting, where
previously we had only been able to work with students who were referred to us via the school
student support centres. We were able to teach helpful well-being enhancing skills that the
majority of the students would otherwise have had no knowledge of, and it was gratifying to
work with adolescents from impoverished and often deprived backgrounds and help them to
comprehend and identify with such ideas as mindfulness and acceptance of emotions. Key
challenges related to fitting the material into six one-hour sessions, the participants' level of
cognitive functioning and understanding, and differing levels of motivation and interest of the
participants. Our flexibility around our group participants resulted in one of the most
challenging aspects of the project: working with some of the schools lowest functioning
students. Some students had difficulty grasping some of the concepts, particularly defusion,
meaning we have to adapt and simplify our material further to enable a greater ease of
understanding. Interest and motivation were enhanced by the frequent use of activities and
rewards (in the form of sweets) for participation, and participants became more engaged in
discussions and activities as the group progressed. We are continuing our work on adapting
and improving our group, including plans for eliciting the assistance of senior students to help
us enhance the cultural acceptability of our group, including culturally appropriate metaphors
and examples, and activities that use cultural concepts to illustrate the ACT content. We are
encouraging teachers to use mindfulness regularly in the classes that have participated in our
group, and hope to train school staff members in ACT concepts.
42. Can undergoing an internet based ACT intervention change the impact of predictors
thought to lead to substance use?
Subtopic: Substance use predictors
Leonidou Georgia B.A., University of Cyprus
Stella Nicoleta Savvides Ph.D., University of Cyprus
Maria Karekla Ph.D., University of Cyprus
Research suggests that peer or parental smoking, rules enforced in the home and age of first
cigarette use are significant predictors of substance use among youth. It is not clear whether
undergoing treatment, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), for smoking
cessation can change the power of these factors to predict substance use post intervention.
The aim of this paper was to examine substance use predictors in youth prior to and following
an ACT smoking cessation internet-based intervention. Fifty-five university students aged 1928 (M=22.84, SD=2.58) were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group. The
treatment group completed 6 sessions of internet based ACT for smoking cessation. The
assessment included demographic characteristics, smoking history, smoking cessation
outcomes and ACT process variables pre and post treatment. Predictors of smoking differ pre
and post intervention. Findings will be discussed in light of impact of the intervention on
changing predictors of substance use and ultimate effect to the uptake of substance use
among youth.
43. ACT Research for Kids: How to introduce the Hexaflex at School
Subtopic: children, mindfulness, hexaflex, school
This study meets the need to bring Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in schools,
particularly addressing to 8-10 years old children. It has been created a story in which the
hexaflex cores were proposed in an understandable and adapted way. This story is called The
adventures of Mr. Shapey, and it explains how Mr. Shapey, the main character (that is,
basically, the shape of a man), learns to be human, and to act like a human being, acquiring,
during his journey, six important parts of his body (each part is connected to one of the six ACT
principles). The story was read to 120 children. Before and after the reading of the story,
CAMM (Greco, Smith & Baer, 2011) was administered to the pupils, to assess their level of
mindfulness. Also, after the reading of each paragraph, the kids had to answer some easy
questions about the story to verify their ACT main cores comprehension. After the reading of
the story, the children show higher scores at CAMM.
44. The Effectiveness of an ACT Self-help Intervention for Stress, Burnout and Depression: An
Exclusively Online Randomized Controlled Trial
Subtopic: Self-help, Bibliotherapy, Burnout, Job Stress, Depression
Patrizia Hofer, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Basel, Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology
Regula Aschwanden, B.Sc., University of Basel
Marina Milidou, B.Sc., University of Basel
Michael Waadt, insas Institut fr Arbeit und seelische Gesundheit
Roselind Lieb, Ph.D., University of Basel, Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology
Andrew Gloster, Ph.D., University of Basel, Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology
Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of a self-help book
using ACT to target stress, burnout and depression in a randomized controlled trial without
therapist contact. Another aim was to investigate the effect of motivational assessment before
and imposed structure during the intervention on outcomes. Method: 122 participants were
randomly assigned to an immediate intervention (II) or 2 waitlist-groups (WL). WLs differed
with respect to (a) motivational assessment before, and (b) imposed structure during the
subsequent intervention. Stress, burnout, depression, psychological flexibility and other ACTspecific measures were assessed at baseline, post and follow-up. Results: The II reported lower
stress, decreased burnout and depression and higher psychological flexibility at post than the
WLs. Benefits were maintained at follow-up. Motivational assessment and imposed structure
had no effect on outcomes. Additional results will examine potential moderators and
differential outcome strength across variables. Discussion: Data suggests that an ACT self-help
book without therapist contact is effective in reducing stress, burnout and depression and in
increasing psychological flexibility. Thus, it may provide a cost-effective first-step intervention.
46. Investigating Delay of Gratification in Children from the Perspective of Relational Frame
Theory
Subtopic: children, Self-Control, Rule governed behavior
Midori Uemura, Waseda UniversityResearch Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science
Tomu Ohtsuki, Waseda University
Hironori Shimada, Waseda University
The current study investigated the relationship between relational framing and the delay of
gratification in children. From a relational framing theory perspective, we specify the delayed
reward by temporal relational framing and identify the larger reward by comparative relational
framing. Therefore, it is assumed that temporal and comparative relational framing is related
to delay of gratification. Twenty-eight children (ages 6 to 9 years) were exposed to temporal
and comparative relational tasks to measure relational ability, picture arrangement (WISC-III)
to measure ability to specify the contingency, and a delay of gratification task and delaydiscounting questionnaire to measure delayed choice. As a result, a significant correlation was
found between the two relational tasks and the delay of gratification task, delay-discounting
questionnaire, and picture arrangement. These findings suggest that two types of relational
framing are related to delay of gratification. Further study is required to clarify the functional
relationship between relational framing and delay of gratification.
47. Deictic Relational Framing of Spatial Perspective Taking and Theory of Mind
Subtopic: Deictic relations, Theory of Mind, IRAP
Paul Guinther, Ph.D., Portland Psychotherapy
Relational Frame Theory is making headway in characterizing perspective taking and Theory of
Mind in terms of functional contextualism and deictic relational framing (e.g., McHugh,
Barnes-Holmes, Barnes-Holmes, & Stewart, 2006; Villatte, Monests, McHugh, Freixa i Baqu,
& Loas, 2010). However, whereas the pattern of function transformation characterizing nondeictic relations (e.g., coordination, opposition, comparison, etc.; see Guinther & Dougher,
2012) is fairly well understood, there is room in RFT to more fully specify the manner in which
deictic framing alters stimulus functions, particularly with respect to taking the emotional and
informational perspective of other people. In order to more fully specify how functions are
transformed during informational perspective taking, I have developed and piloted in verbally
competent adults a match-to-sample training paradigm that gives rise to contextual control of
deictic relational responding and successful derived performances on a Sally-Anne falsebelief test for Theory of Mind (Wimmer & Perner, 1989).
Saturday, 18 July - Poster Session #4
1. Acceptance of internal experiences in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease

compared to healthy individuals in Isfahan city.
Subtopic: acceptance
Mina Kavoosi, M.S. in clinical psychology, Azad University, Khorasgan Branch
Fatemeh Zargar, assisstant profesor in clinical psychology, Kashan University in Medical
Sciences
Background: Psychological factors affecting other medical condition (psychosomatic disorder)

are a class of disorders that psychological factors play an important role in creating, sustaining
and delayed recovery in medical conditions. The most important psychosomatic disorders are
cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease. The present study aimed compare acceptance of
internal experiences in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease and healthy individuals in
Isfahan city. Method: Based on purposive sampling, 50 patients with gastrointestinal disease
(13 male and 37 female), 50 patients with cardiovascular diseases (29 male, 21 female) that
referred to clinics in Isfahan compared to 50 healthy individuals (15male, 35 female). These
three groups filled out Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. Results: Analysis by SPSS-21 and
Multivariable Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) showed that acceptance of internal experience
significant difference between the patient groups and healthy individuals. But there were no
significant differences between patients with gastrointestinal disease and cardiovascular
disease. Conclusion: It seems avoidance from internal experiences (thoughts, emotions and
bodily sensations) plays an important role in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease.
2. Acceptance and daily occupational well-being in relation to negative work events

Kuba, K.
Scheibe, S.
We examined the role of acceptance the tendency to openly receive ones emotions and
associated cognitions, including negative ones, while maintaining a focus on current goal
pursuit for daily occupational well-being. We hypothesized that acceptance would be
associated with better daily occupational well-being, operationalized as low end-of-day
negative affect and fatigue, and high work engagement. Furthermore, we predicted that
acceptance would buffer the adverse impact of negative work events on daily well-being. A
micro-longitudinal study across 10 work days was carried out with 92 employees of the health
care sector, yielding a total of 832 daily observations. As expected, acceptance was associated
with lower end-of-day negative affect and fatigue across the 10-day period. Furthermore,
acceptance moderated the effect of negative event occurrence on daily well-being: Highly
accepting employees experienced less increase in negative affect and less reduction in work
engagement (though comparable end-of-day fatigue) on days with negative work events,
relative to days without negative work events, than less accepting employees. These findings
highlight affective, resource-saving, and motivational benefits of acceptance for daily
occupational well-being and demonstrate that acceptance is associated with enhanced
resilience to daily negative work events.
3. Web-based ACT in chronic pain: For whom and how does it work?
Subtopic: chronic pain, web-based, online, mediators, moderators
Trompetter, H. R., PhD., University of Twente
Bohlmeijer, E. T., PhD., University of Twente
Schreurs, K. M. G., PhD., University of Twente
Introduction: In a recent, large three-armed randomized controlled trial we tested the efficacy
of web-based ACT for chronic pain sufferers. The course Living with Pain was effective on
several important outcomes compared to control groups. We will present outcomes of
secondary examinations into the processes of change during the intervention, and also present
for whom exactly web-based ACT worked or did not work. Method: Data from all 238 Dutch
participants gathered during the RCT from all three study arms (ACT; Expressive Writing,
Waiting List) was used. Data was collected at baseline, several time-points during the 9-12
week intervention, post intervention and at three month follow-up. Mediation and
moderation analyses were performed using the PROCESS procedure in SPSS developed by
Andrew Hayes. Results: Psychological flexibility was a significant working mechanism of
changes in pain interference in daily life, pain intensity and depression over the course of the
trial. In addition, also pain catastrophizing functioned as a mediator of change, although to a
much smaller extent and also, significant changes occurred later during the trial than changes
in psychological flexibility. Furthermore, psychological well-being served as a significant
baseline moderator of effectiveness of the intervention, showing that only those have strong
mental resources despite pain at baseline were able to draw effect from the intervention.
Discussion: Outcomes support the psychological flexibility model of ACT, and specify
interesting subgroups that do (not) profit from following web-based ACT. These outcomes can
help to further understand treatment and successfully allocate treatment to clients in the
future.
4. The Effect of Post Traumatic Growth on Post Traumatic Growth: Moderation effect of
Cognitive Fushion
Subtopic: PTSD, PTG,fusion
Xiong Peng-Di, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of
Sciences
There are debates about relationship between Posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and
posttraumatic growth (PTG). Researchers have suggested three possible modes,which indicate
PTSD and PTG are opposite, positively related, or independent repectively, while the
mechanism behind them is unclear. Cognitive fusion refers to the tendency that individulss
cognition and behavior are over controlled by language and content of thoughts. This study
aimed at investigating the the moderating role of cognitive fusion in the relationship between
PTSD and PTG. 1808 freshmen from vocational high school, most of whom experienced
Wenchuan earthquake in China, participated in the study. PTSD, PTG, cognitive fusion were
assessed. Results supported the moderation model. Simple slope analysis found that for
individuals with higher cognitive fusion, PTG was negatively predicted by PTSD, while for
individuals with lower cognitive fusion, PTSD didnt predict PTG significantly. This study
supports that PTSDs negative effect on PTG can be dissolved by reducing cognitive fushion.
5. Influence of Patient Expectations on Treatment Outcome

Subtopic: CBGT
Ainhoa Snchez, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST)
Isabel Ramirez, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa

Anna Soler-Roca, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Irene Ramos-Grille, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Marti Santacana, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Ana Costas, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
OBJECTIVE: Recent research indicates that high levels of outcome expectancy are associated
with better treatment outcome. The aim of the study was to investigate whether higher
expectations for treatment outcome are related to better response rates in a Brief CognitiveBehavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) in patients with Adjustment Disorder (AD). METHOD: Fiftysix patients (16 males and 40 females) diagnosed with AD (DM-IV-TR) agreed to take part in
the study. All participants completed a self-report psychometric battery for pre-treatment
assessment. Among others, the battery included the Spanish Treatment Expectancy
Questionnaire by Echebura and Corral (CEC) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). All
the patients were included in a brief CBGT (6 sessions, 1 hour per week). In order to assess
clinical improvement, the BDI was readministred at the end of the treatment. T-tests were
used to compare treatment outcome (pre-post differences on the BDI-II) between patients
with high and low expectations. Pearson correlations between treatment outcome and
treatment expectations were also conducted. Statistical analyses were performed using the
Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS 18.0). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences
(p<0.05) were observed in treatment outcome between high and low expectations subgroups.
A significant correlation was found between expectations and treatment outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite methodological limitations, this study provides data to support the
hypothesis that high levels of outcome expectancy are associated with better treatment
response.
6. The role of uncommitted actions with life values in college students quality of life
Subtopic: quality of life
of Coimbra
Background: Recent research has focused on the role of uncommitted action in well-being and
quality of life (QoL). It has been found that the engagement in uncommitted or inconsistent
actions with life values restrains one from following a meaningful life path, and is often linked
with emotional and psychological difficulties. Furthermore, literature has found that
psychological suffering is not only due to negative experiences themselves (e.g., anxiety) but
mainly from the strategies one uses to deal with those experiences. The present study aimed
to contribute to the clarification of the importance and impact of uncommitted action on ones
QoL. More specifically, the main aim of this study was to analyse uncommitted action (ELSrev)s mediational role in the known association between college students anxiety
symptomatology and lower psychological QoL. Method: The sample was composed of 284
college students (43.3% males and 56.7% females), with ages comprised between 18 and 24
years old (M = 20.80; SD = 1.85). Participants completed a research protocol that included the
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Engaged Living Scale (which was reverted
to assess uncommitted action), and World Health Organization Brief Quality of Life Assessment
Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Data analyses were performed using SPSS and additionally MedGraph
was used to conduct the mediation analyses. Results: Psychological QoL presented negative
associations with anxiety symptomatology and uncommitted action (with moderate to high
correlation magnitudes). In turn, increased anxiety was correlated with the presence of more
inconsistent actions with ones values. The tested mediation model showed statistical
significance and explained 39% of psychological QoL. Moreover, results also showed that 47%
of anxietys impact on decreased psychological well-being was partially explained by the
mediational effects of uncommitted action. Discussion: These findings thus seem to indicate
that the negative effect of anxiety symptomatology on psychological QoL is in part explained
by the presence of actions inconsistent with ones personal life values, that is, by maladaptive
responses to anxiety that amplify the impact of this emotion on ones well-being. Thereby, this
study suggests that interventions aiming to improve college students QoL should comprise the
clarification and promotion of personal life values and actions committed with those values.
7. Cognitive fusion exacerbates the impact of IBD symptomatology on patients depression

severity
Subtopic: Chronic Diseases
of Coimbra
Jos Pinto-Gouveia, MD, PhD, Cognitive Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention,
University of Coimbra
Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) encompasses two chronic conditions, Crohns
Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, characterized by incurable and relapsing inflammation of the
intestinal system that causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, persisting diarrhoea, and
bloody stools. Patients with these illnesses seem to continuously present decreased levels of
quality of life and significantly higher levels of psychopathology compared to the general
population and even to patients with other chronic illnesses. At the same time, different
studies have demonstrated that depression severity plays a pertinent role in the clinical
recurrences of IBD in a self-perpetuating cycle of depressive mood and inflammation. Due to
these reasons, it is considered that the study of factors that influence depressive
symptomatology in IBD patients should be further investigated. The aim of the present study
was thus to explore the role in these relationships of cognitive fusion, a maladaptive emotional
regulation process linked to depression and characterized by the excessive entanglement with
ones private events. We hypothesize that cognitive fusion exacerbates the effects of IBD
symptomatology on patients depression severity. Method: The sample of this study was
composed of 176 IBD patients (96 diagnosed with Crohns Disease and 80 diagnosed with
ulcerative colitis), aged from 18 to 65 years old (M = 35.70; SD = 10.32). Participants completed
an internet-based survey that comprised demographic and medical information (e.g.,
frequency of IBD symptoms) and self-report instruments (Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire CFQ-7; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales - DASS-21). Results: Results from regression
analyses demonstrated that the interaction between IBD symptomatology and cognitive fusion
is a significant predictor of depression severity ( = .43; p < .05). This interaction accounted for
a total of 46% of depressions variance, being the best predictor of the model. Results revealed
that, for the same level of IBD symptomatology, patients who presented higher levels of
cognitive fusion showed increased depressive symptoms. Discussion: The current study seems
to indicate that cognitive fusion acts as a moderator in the association between increased IBD
symptomatology and higher levels of depression. That is, it suggests that dealing with ones
internal events as if they were literally true with disregard to contextual cues may exacerbate
the impact of IBD clinical symptoms on the severity of depressive symptomatology. These
findings seem to present important clinical implications for the improvement of IBD patients
physical and psychological functioning.
8. Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group in Adjustment Disorder: Locus of control on

treatment outcomes.
Subtopic: Adjustment disorder, Brief CBT Group
Isabel Ramirez-Gendrau, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Ainhoa Snchez, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Anna Soler-Roca, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Irene Ramos-Grille, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Isabel de Mara, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Mireia Gonzlez, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Anna Garcia-Caballero, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
Recent research has established that Locus of Control (LC) is a construct related to
psychological treatment outcomes. The specific aim of our study was to investigate whether
differences in health LC are related to a better response rates in a Brief Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy Group (BCBT-G) in patients with Adjustment Disorder (AD). Fifty-six patients (32%
males and 68% females) diagnosed with mixed AD with anxiety and/or depressed mood (DSMIV-TR) agreed to take part in the study. All patients were included in a BCBT-G (6 one hour
sessions, weekly). The participants completed a self-report psychometric battery for pretreatment assessment. Among others, the Spanish Health Locus of Control Scale (ELCS) and
BDI-II were administrated. In order to assess clinical improvement, BDI-II was readministrated
at the end of the treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package
SPSS Version 18.0. The differences observed between health LC and the better response rates
in the treatment (lower BDI-II scores) were not statistically significant (p>0.05). We did not
observe any correlation between lower BDI-II scores and scores on ELCS at the end of
treatment. Despite methodological limitations, this study suggests that having an internal or
external LC is not related with better treatment response. Maybe LC could not be involved on
treatment outcomes.
9. The Impact of Parental Psychological Flexibility on Refugee Infant Development

Subtopic: Torture/trauma history, Infants, Secondary Survivors, Refugees
Jordan Weith, University of Vermont
Anne Brassell, B.A., University of Vermont
Karen Fondacaro, University of Vermont
Susan Crockenberg, University of Vermont
Psychological flexibility is a primary construct that warrants investigation in the mitigation of

the effects of post-migration stress and past-trauma within the refugee population. The impact
of trauma and post-migration stress can be widespread and often extend beyond the survivor
to non-afflicted family members, known as secondary survivors. Case studies have suggested
that infant secondary survivors are at a greater risk of demonstrating underdeveloped physical
or cognitive growth. Psychological flexibility may ameliorate this relation, as the parent is able
to engage with their infant and attend to the present moment despite the obstacles they
encounter. The current study will present empirical data on 32 refugee parent/infant (3-12
months, Bhutan or Somalia country of origin) pairs. The relation between post-migration
stress, torture/trauma history, and psychological flexibility will be examined. It is expected that
the relation between post-migration stress, torture/trauma, and infant development (cognitive
and social) will be moderated by psychological flexibility. These findings will be discussed as
they relate to the importance of developing a dyadic intervention for refugee parents and
infants.
10. ACT inpatient treatment concept for OCD patients

Subtopic: OCD
Karoline Albrecht, Ph.D., University Medical Center Freiburg
katharina Wetterkamp, University Medical Center Freiburg
Marlene Stecher-Sperlich, University Medical Center Freiburg
Lothar Bonk, University Medical Center Freiburg
Tobias Freyer, University Medical Center Freiburg
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) as its key
element is the psychotherapeutic method of choice in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD). It is long established and recommended in the treatment guidelines (APA,
2007). However, an essential number of patients between 20 60% - do not benefit from
treatment, fail to engage in the strenuous ERP treatment or drop out prematurely (Franklin &
Foa, 1998; Abramowitz, 2006). Several factors such as poor patient adherence to the ERP
procedures, poor insight into the irrationality of the obsessions, respectively obsessions held
with delusional conviction or comorbid affective, anxiety or personality disorders - have been
reported to negatively impact the outcome of ERP (APA, 2007). ACT as an experiential
contextual approach of cognitive behavioral therapy, which aims at changing the function of
cognitions and other inner experiences rather than changing the content, might be a viable
option to address these factors (Twohig et al., 2010; Twohig, Hayes & Masuda, 2006; Tolin
2009). Its broad, not disorder-tailored nature might hold the chance to adequately deal with
comorbidities. Furthermore ACT procedures show promise in increasing treatment
engagement in exposure treatments (Bluett et al., 2014). ACT in OCD treatment focuses on
helping the patient to pursue valued-based living while mindfully noticing inner experiences,
thus disempowering irrational or delusional obsessions and compulsive urges by not giving
them more significance than they merit. So far studies suggest that ACT as an outpatient
treatment seems to be a promising treatment approach for OCD (Twohig et. al., 2010; Twohig
et al., in press). However no evidence exists on ACT for OCD in the inpatient setting. Given the
high degree of chronicity, comorbidity, and therapy resistance in OCD patients, however, many
of these patients require inpatient treatment (Stengler-Wenzke et al., 2005; Voderholzer et al.,
2011). Here, we report on a first specialized program of applying ACT to inpatient OCD
treatment. This program is currently tested for feasibility and effectiveness in a pilot study
with 10 patients in the University Medical Center Freiburg. The aim of this poster is to present
the multidisciplinary structured treatment program, which incorporates ERP in ACT and
combines individual and group therapies. Preliminary data on its feasibility and acceptance of
patients will be presented.
11. The moderating effect of psychological flexibility on defeat and suicidality

Subtopic: Suicide
Kevin Hochard, Ph.D., University of Chester
Nadja Heym, Ph.D., Nottingham Trent University
Ellen Townsend, Ph.D., University of Nottingham
Background: Defeat, stress or humiliation following a loss of status (real or perceived), has
been established as a risk factor for suicidality as described in the cry of pain model proposed
by Williams (2001). Psychological flexibility, the ability to persist in behaviours serving a valued
goal, provides a trait that could moderate the impact of defeat on suicidality through the
shifting of perspective. Methods: A cross sectional online psychometric survey was conducted
(n=843) assessing depressive symptoms, defeat, psychological flexibility, and suicidal ideation.
Results: Moderation analyses (Hayes, 2013) were performed. Our findings indicate a clear
significant moderating effect of psychological flexibility on the relationship between defeat
and suicidal thinking whilst controlling for the effects of depressive symptoms. Discussion: We
suggest that while increasing levels of psychological flexibility may not be possible during
periods of high suicidal risk, receiving training to increase flexibility may be beneficial for
individuals with cyclic bouts of suicidal ideation or those at low levels of risk. Thus, improving
at risk individuals ability to cope with negative life events.
12. Psychological Inflexibility as a Transdiagnostic Prospective Mediator

Subtopic: psychological flexibility
Ljiljana Mihi, Ph.D., University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology,
Serbia
Background: Both Negative Affectivity (NA) and Psychological Inflexibility (PIF) have been
proposed as transdiagnostic variables, implicated in the emergence of various mental
disorders, including anxiety symptoms. PIF has been suggested to act as a mechanism by which
NA leads to psychopathology, via amplification of negative emotions. Hence, the aim of this
study was to test the hypothesis that PIF would be a mediator in the relations between NA and
the prospective symptoms of social phobia, panic, and generalized anxiety disorders,
controlling for the contribution of the previous anxiety symptoms and anxiety sensitivity.
Method: Participants were undergraduates (N = 165 (80% females), Mage=19.86 (.98)) at the
University of Novi Sad, Serbia, who consented to participate in a three-wave longitudinal
study. At Time 1, they completed the PANAS-trait form, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, and the
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21. A year later, participants filled out the Acceptance
and Action Questionnaire-II. Six months later, they were screened for the diagnosis of social
phobia (SP), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and panic disorder (PD) using the Psychiatric
Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire. All measures were administered in Serbian. Results:
Analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro in which PIF was expected to mediate the
relations between NA and the anxiety symptoms, controlling for the prior levels of anxiety
symptoms and anxiety sensitivity. The results suggested that these relations were completely
mediated by PIF (indirect effect for SP: 95% BC(.03-.09); indirect effect for GAD: 95% BC (.02.11); indirect effect for PD: 95% BC (.01-.03)). Discussion: This study in a nonclinical sample
showed that both PIF and NA were predictors of the prospective symptoms of panic, social
phobia, and generalized anxiety disorders, in which PIF mediated completely the effects of NA
on the symptoms. It seems that PIF contribute to the anxiety symptoms by amplifying the
experience of negative emotions. It is noteworthy that this effect remained after controlling
for anxiety sensitivity, a well-known risk factor for anxiety psychopathology. Future studies
should test whether such a complete mediation would be obtained in a clinical sample. Our
results have implications for prevention of anxiety psychopathology.
13. The relationship between mindfulness, psychological flexibility, perceived parental

control and diabetes-related outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Subtopic: Adolescent diabetes
Lorraine Lockhart, University of Edinburgh
Dr Nuno Ferreira, University of Edinburgh
Parental involvement in the daily treatment regime for adolescent diabetes can increase the
likelihood of achieving optimum glycaemic control, and is therefore often necessary. However,
adolescents with T1D who perceive their parents as controlling often report lower levels of
treatment adherence and poorer health-related quality of life. To date, there has been little
investigation of the factors that influence this relationship. The current study hypothesises
that the relationship between perceived parental control and poor outcomes is mediated by
the adolescents mindfulness and psychological flexibility. It further hypothesises that this
relationship is moderated by parental mindfulness and psychological flexibility. A total of 131
parent-adolescent dyads will be recruited from adolescent diabetes clinics throughout
Scotland over an 8 month period. Parents and adolescents will be asked to complete a range of
self-report questionnaires measuring parent and adolescent mindfulness and psychological
flexibility, treatment adherence, adolescent perception of parental control and diabetesrelated quality of life. The data will be analysed using conditional process analysis to fully
understand the mediating and moderating roles of mindfulness and psychological flexibility.
Preliminary results will be presented where these are available.
14. Efficacy and clinical utility of individual and group treatment with Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy for children and youths with longstanding pain
Subtopic: Pediatric longstanding pain
Marie Kanstrup, Behavioural Medicine Pain Treatment Services, Karolinska University Hospital
Background: Longstanding pain in children and adolescents may lead to reductions in daily
functioning and disability. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) aims at improving
functioning and disability by increasing psychological flexibility, i.e. the ability to act in
accordance with personal values and goals in the presence of interfering pain or distress
(Hayes, 2006). Previous studies on the efficacy of ACT- to improve disability and quality of life
in children and youths suffering from longstanding pain has indicated the clinical utility of this
aproach (e.g. Wicksell, 2009). Research indicates that there is no difference in efficacy
between individual therapy and group therapy. However, to our knowledge, there is a limited
number of studies that have evaluated possible differences in efficacy for individual therapy in
comparison with group therapy for children and youth with longstanding pain. The present
study aimed to evaluate possible differences in treatment outcome and treatment responders,
between individual and group treatment for children and youths suffering from longstanding
pain. Method: Forty children and youths with longstanding debilitating pain referred to the
Behavior Medicine Pain Treatment Services were randomized to ACT in a group format or to
individual ACT. Psychological inflexibility was the primary process measure and pain disability
and pain interference were the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures
consisted of e.g. emotional functioning. Analyses were performed using repeated measures
ANOVA, and responder analyses will be based on e.g. criteria by Jacobson and Truax (1991).
Results and discussion: Preliminary results showed that there were no differences between the
two treatment modalities (individual format/group format) on the different measures.
Furthermore, there were significant improvements in psychological inflexibility, pain disability,
pain interference and emotional functioning across treatment modalities. Responder analyses
are ongoing. Results will be discussed in relation to previous research, clinical implications and
future studies.
15. Captains Courageous: An ACT-oriented group training for children with emotional
disorders
Subtopic: Children
Marta Schweiger, Universit IULM,Milan & IESCUM,Italy
Francesca Pergolizzi, IESCUM, Italy
Paolo Moderato, Universit IULM,Milan & IESCUM,Italy
The poster illustrates an ACT - oriented group training for children with emotional problems.
Population. Two groups of 5 children (10 subject; age 8-11 ; 7 male, 3 female), with different
psychopathological diagnosis and significant internalizing problems were selected in a child
mental health service near Milan (Italy). Procedures. Pre and post measures (CBCL, RCMAS-2,
AFQ-Y) were administered to parents and children. Children received training (10 sessions, 90
minutes each) through exercises, games and creative activities within a metaphorical
framework: every child plays as a captain and learns to appreciate his boat (self-awareness),
observe the waves (recognizing antecedents), drop anchor (present moment), accept
seasickness (sensations and emotions), signal with flags (getting help), use compass (valued
directions) and steer (committed actions). Outcomes. Parents and children reported a
decrease in internalizing problems, depression and anxiety symptoms and lower levels of
fusion and avoidance. Children discovered that "everyone has difficult emotions when sailing
the sea", and that "a good captain is patient, courageous, and creative".
16. Assessing quality of life in young people: the Italian version of the Youth Quality of Life
(YQOL-R)
Subtopic: children and adolescents
Marta Schweiger, Universit IULM,Milan & IESCUM,Italy
Arianna Ristallo, Universit IULM,Milan & IESCUM,Italy
Improving the quality of life is the primary focus for many ACT-based interventions with
children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to validate the Italian version of the Youth
Quality of Life Instrument Research Version (YQOL-R, Patrick & Edwards, 2002), a 57 items
self-report measure that evaluates childrens and adolescents self perceptions about positive
and negative aspects of their life. 433 Italian students were recruited from different part of
Italy (age 11-18 mean= 13.79 sd=1.54, 39.1% male, 60.5% female). The YQOL-R was
administered along with Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth, Child and Adolescents
Mindfulness Measure (Greco 2008, 2011) and Child Behavior Checklist Youth Self Report
(Achenbach, 2001). Preliminary results show that the four scales (Self, Relationships,
Environment and Genral QoL) of the YQOL-R have good internal consistency (Cronbachs
alpha=0.80 0.91). Other psychometric properties, correlations among instruments, and
relations between contextual (1-15) and perceptual items (16-41) will be discussed.
17. Students Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS): Psychometric Characteristics on an Italian Youth
Sample
Subtopic: life satisfaction, quality of life, positive psychology, wellbeing, adolescents
The emerging literature emphasizes the importance to assess adolescents' mental health also
considering their life satisfaction. This poster reviews the psychometric properties of an Italian
version of the Students Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS; Huebner, 1971), a 7 domain-free item
measure of general life satisfaction developed on children aged 8-18. SLSS has been translated
into Italian and administered to a sample of about 400 students aged 11-14, being easily
understood. This instrument was included in a wider questionnaire package assessing
subjective happiness, mindfulness, defusion, dysfunctional attitudes and psychopathological
symptoms. The findings suggest that SLSS presents good psychometric characteristics for its
use on Italian adolescents.
18. Regulating Eating through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (RE-ACT)

Subtopic: weight management
Mary Jinks, Trainee Clinical Psychologist, University of Lincoln
Nima Moghaddam, Clinical Psychologist, University of Lincoln
Dave Dawson, Clinical psychologist, University of Lincoln
Mike Rennoldson, University of Nottingham
Background Obesity is a growing global epidemic (Lillis, Hayes, Bunting, & Masuda, 2009;
Weineland, Arvidsson, Kakoulidis & Dahl, 2012) and it is associated with significant health
consequences (Kopelman, 2000; Rapp et al., 2005). However, weight loss, and its maintenance
over time is difficult, leading to experts recognising the need to address the psychological
challenges of obesity (Cooper & Fairburn, 2001; Tapper, Shaw, Ilsley & Moore, 2007). Obesity
is linked in part with emotional eating (Torres & Nowson, 2007). Therefore, it has been
highlighted that interventions which may tackle emotional eating may be an effective means
of addressing obesity (Tapper et al., 2009). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a
psychotherapeutic approach which may help reduce emotional eating. Aim To evaluate the
effectiveness of a guided ACT self-help intervention for weight management of emotional

eaters. Method Six participants recruited from a university population consented to take part
in a five week guided self-help ACT intervention. Utilising an AB single case series design,
participants completed a range of implicit, explicit and behavioural assessments over the
course of the study. Results and discussion Preliminary results indicate that the intervention
resulted in weight loss. Participants reported positive experiences about the intervention. An
overview of the analysis to date will be outlined, along with a discussion of the results in line
with ACT processes.
19. Group acceptance and commitment therapy for persistent postural and perceptive
dizziness: A clinical study
Subtopic: psychosomatic medicine
Masaki Kondo, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Keiko Ino, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Wakako Igarashi, Kikuchi mental clinic
Sei Ogawa, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Toshitaka Ii, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Meiho Nakayama, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Tatsuo Akechi, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Background: Persistent postural and perceptive dizziness (PPPD), which has been called
chronic subjective dizziness or phobic postural vertigo, is assumed to be a chronic clinical
condition arisen from interactions among multiple factors, such as vestibular function, visual
sensation, somatic sensation, muscle tone, autonomic nervous system, and psychological
elements. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the promising treatments, however,
some patients have resistance to CBT. They seem to fall into vicious circles by struggle to avoid
dizziness, therefore, acceptance strategy may be effective in PPPD. The aim of this pilot
clinical study is to examine effectiveness and feasibility of group acceptance and commitment
therapy (ACT) for PPPD. Methods: We enrolled adult outpatients at a special dizziness clinic
who had a chief complaint of dizziness or unsteadiness that lasted more than three months in
most days and that were exacerbated by upright posture, head motion, or exposure to moving
or complex visual patterns. We excluded dizziness and unsteadiness explained adequately by
other diseases, such as central nervous diseases, vestibular diseases, and psychiatric disorders.
Participants received six weekly sessions of group ACT. The primary outcome was Handicap
due to dizziness, evaluated by Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Results: All three participants
could undergo group ACT smoothly. Although they had severe handicap due to dizziness at
pre-treatment, one of three showed complete remission and another one showed treatment
response one month after treatment. Conclusion: The results suggest that group ACT for PPPD
may be feasible. Further clinical study should be required.
20. Validity and Reliability of the Acceptance and Action Diabetes Questionnaire Turkish
Version
Subtopic: acceptance and diabetes
Mehmet Emrah Karadere, Hitit University Corum Education and Research Hospital
Ece Yazla, Hitit University Corum Education and Research Hospital
Ferit Kerim Kkler, Hitit University Corum Education and Research Hospital
Kasm Fatih Yavuz, Bakirkoy Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and
Neurology
Emre Demir, Hitit University Medical Faculty
Objective: High degree of acceptance was found to be related with better metabolic control
and higher coping capability in diabetic patients (1). Acceptance and Action Diabetes
Questionnaire (AADQ) is a scale which was constructed for measuring acceptance of diabetes
related thoughts and feelings and the degree to which they interfere with valued action (2).
We investigated the reliability and validity analysis of Turkish version of AADQ. Method: 106
patients who applied to the endocrinology outpatient clinic of Hitit University orum
Education and Research Hospital with the diagnosis of type II Diabetes Mellitus were included
to our study. Their mean age was 52,74 years (SD = 9,43). 56,6% of them were female. Mean
education duration was 7,65 years (SD=3,97). We used Beck depression inventory(BDI), StateTrait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I and II), Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale(PAID), Audit of
Diabetes-Dependent Quality-of-Life (ADDQoL) Questionnaire. The translation of the original
AADQ to Turkish carried out by authors. Each of them translated AADQ independently from
each other. Back-translation was provided by a bilingual translator, who have no interest on
psychopathological issues. After back-translation, original version of AADQ and back-translated
version compared and nal version of Turkish AADQ completed. Results: Internal consistency:
Cronbachs alpha value of Turkish version of AAQ-II: 0.822. AADQ scale results were positively
correlated with STAI-II (r=0,229, p=0,020), BDI (r=0,428, p<0,001), PAID (r=0,534, p<0,001),
negatively correlated with ADDQoL (r=-0,274, p=0,005). STAI-I wasnt found significantly
correlated with AADQ (r=-0,07, p=0,483). Discussion: Our results showed that Turkish version
of AADQ was applicable for the evaluation of the acceptance degree of Turkish diabetic
patients.
21. ACT for a complex trauma

Subtopic: PTSD, depression, ACT, exposure therapy
Nathalia Vargas Psy. D, Contextual Science and Therapy Institute; National Institute of
Psychiatry Ramn de la Fuente
Michel Reyes Psy. D., Institute of Contextual Science; National institute of Psychiatry Ramn de
la Fuente
Edgar Miguel Miranda Terres M.S, Institute of Contextual Science; National institute of
Elsa Mediana, Private Practice
We present a longitudinal study where they showed the achievements and limitations of an
intervention group ACT and Exposure therapy for complex trauma, to measure impact on
symptoms of PTSD, Depression and Quality of life, using Check list of PTSD symptoms (PCL-C)
Weathers, Litz, Herman, Huska & Keane (1993). Translate and suits for mexican population
(Flores, Reyes & Riedl 2012), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Beck (1988) .Adaptacin Robles,
Varela, Jurado and Paez (2001) and Inventory of Quality of Life and Health (INCAVISA) Riveros,
Sanchez Sosa and Groves (2003). Both groups showed decrease in PTSD symptoms, but the
results differ on the impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms
22. Bringing support to family members with BPD with ACT and DBT Skills
Subtopic: familys interventions, BPD
Nathalia Vargas Psy. D., Contextual Science and Therapy Institute; National Institute of
Michel Reyes Psy. D., Contextual Science and Therapy Institute; National Institute of Psychiatry
Ramn de la Fuente
Edgar Miguel Miranda Terres, Contextual Science and Therapy Institute; National Institute of
Ivan Arango de Montis M.D, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramn de la Fuente
Elsa Mediana, Private Practive
The present study is an intervention program based on ACT and strengthened with DBT skills
with 60 relatives of people diagnosed with BPD divided into two groups to assess changes in
family relationships, emotional regulation of family members and psychological flexibility the
measurements used are intrafamiliaes relationship scale (Rivera Hereida and Andrade Palos,
2001, intermediate version) Acceptance & Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II) (Patron, 2010) and
the Scale of Emotional adjustment Difficulties (Marn was used Tejeda, Garca Robles, Gonzlez
Forteza, Andradre Palacios, 2012). Both groups showed improvement in domestic relations, as
well as emotional regulation psychological flexibility
23. The adaptation of an ACT based intervention to a digital intervention as a means to

increase adherence and lower attrition rates in chronic pain patients
Subtopic: Technology
Orestis Kasinopoulos, M.Sc, University of Cyprus
Vasilis Vasiliou, University of Cyprus
Evangelos C. Karademas, Ph.D, University of Crete
Maria Karekla, Ph.D, University of Cyprus
Acceptance - based psychological interventions for chronic pain have been receiving empirical
support for pain management. Yet, financial barriers for the patients and the healthcare
system as well as obstacles regarding physical access to treatment, highlight the need for
innovative cost-reducing digital interventions. The adaptation of an ACT - group protocol to

digitalized interventions (e.g. web-based and smartphone application) aim to improve the
human-computer interaction with the use of a persuasive system design, Avatars and the bare
minimum number of sessions aimed at improving adherence rates in both digital
interventions. In the original study, sixty-nine patients were assessed and randomly assigned
to an ACT or CBT group for eight, 90-minute, sessions. Attrition and adherence rates of ACT group intervention in Greek-speaking chronic pain patients are presented. The process of
converting a face-to-face ACT intervention to both a web-based and a mobile - application is
described. Potential obstacles arising during the adaptation (such as creating a user - friendly
and culturally sensitive platforms) and fruitful solutions to them shall be discussed.
24. Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire
(CFQ-7): A study with multigroup analysis of factorial invariance
Subtopic: cognitive fusion, psychometric properties
Paola Lucena-Santos, Ph.D. Student, University of Coimbra - Portugal
Jos Pinto-Gouveia, MSc., Ph.D., University of Coimbra - Portugal
Renata Klein Zancan, MSc., Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil
Daniela Franceschi Souza, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil
Marina Camargo Barth, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil
Margareth Silva Oliveira, MSc., Ph.D., Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil
Introduction: The CFQ-7 was developed with the purpose of becoming a useful tool in the
assessment of the cognitive fusion, as it is believed that the type of relationship of the
individuals with their own thoughts is potentially more important than the thoughts
themselves, when it comes to predicting psychological pain. Meanwhile, there arent
assessment studies of psychometric properties of this measure in Brazil. Method: This is a
transversal study, with self-report measures. The sample was composed of three convenience
groups of adult women (sample of general population, n=301; college students, n=171; and
clinical sample of overweight or obese women undergoing treatment to lose weight, n= 205).
The analytic strategies used Confirmatory Factorial Analysis (CFA), with Maximum Likelihood as
the estimation method (to confirm scale structure), Multigroup Analysis (to investigate
factorial invariance) and Cronbachs alpha coefficient (to assess internal reliability). We used
the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and the software AMOS to perform all
analysis involved in this study. Results: The average age of the 677 participants was 33.62
years (SD= 11.9) and the average years of education was 13.1 (SD= 3.9), most of them were
single women (53.6%, n= 363), followed by married women (30.0%, n= 203), consensual
unions (9.2%, n= 62), divorced (5.4%, n= 37) and widows (1.8%, n= 12). In the CFA of the total
sample (n= 677), the modified model with covariances between the residual errors of two
pairs of items (1/2 and 2/3 given the similarity of these pairs of items, their content analysis
supported this decision) showed a very good fit (2/df= 1.995; TLI= 0.994; CFI= 0.996; GFI=
0.990; RMSEA = 0.038; p= 0.784), with high factorial weights and individual reliability of the
items ( 0.69 and R2 0.48). This adjustment was significantly better than the original model
(X2 (2) = 88.25; p<0.05). The multigroup analysis showed that the scale has strong
measurement invariance in this three groups simultaneously, once no intergroup differences
were observed in what concerns the factorial weights (X2 (12)= 4.208; p= 0.979) and the
averages (intercepts) of the items (X2 (14)= 23.123; p= 0.058). Also, the general reliability
(considering the total sample) was = 0.93. Discussion: Considering our results, it is possible to
affirm that the Brazilian version of the CFQ-7 shows unifactorial structure, has an excellent
internal consistency and can be reliably used with this three different study groups to assess
both the cognitive fusion scores, as the effects of other variables on these scores.
25. Psychological Flexibility as a Mediator of Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD in Group

Therapy with Female Bhutanese Refugees
Subtopic: Refugee Mental Health
Maggie Evans, B.A., University of Vermont
Diane Gottlieb, Ph.D., University of Vermont
Valerie Harder, Ph.D., University of Vermont
Psychological flexibility has been indicated in research as an important mediator of therapeutic

change. Group therapy models for refugees and torture survivors point to the importance of
multi-systemic and multi-component treatment; however, few studies have examined
therapeutic processes in refugee populations. In the current study, adult female Bhutanese
refugees seeking psychological services from a community clinic were treated in an openended group therapy context for adjustment disorder (N = 13). Group psychotherapy utilized
an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) framework and covered a range of topics,
including acculturative stressors, social isolation, and stress management. Participants were
assessed for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at
baseline and mid-treatment (approximately at 50 weeks) using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist
and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Additional mid-treatment measurements (approximately
at 25 weeks) included the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II. In this project, we will
examine acceptance and willingness to pursue valued experience as a mediator of change in
depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms across group treatment. The findings of this study
will help to elucidate potential mechanisms that may explain therapeutic change over time in
female Bhutanese refugees. Further, results will inform our understanding of using an ACT
framework in a group psychotherapy setting with refugees to address a range of presenting
mental health concerns.
26. An Acceptance and Committment Therapy approach to increase well-being in spinal cord
injury survivors

Subtopic: Spinal Cord Injury, Well-being, ACT
Sophia Serpa, M.S., Nova Southeastern University
Alexia Holovatyk, B.S.
Barry Nierenberg, Ph.D., ABPP, Nova Southeastern University
Background It is not surprising that although about 5% of Americans become depressed every
year, the rates of depression among those surviving spinal cord injury (SCI) are even higher
ranging from 11% to 37%. Although it is necessary to study interventions that alleviate
depressive symptoms in the short term, it is not sufficient. Previous studies have found that
the challenge of treating depression lies in the prevention of relapse rather than in the
alleviation of initial symptoms. A study by Fava & Ruini (2004) found that while 70% of patients
remitted following a treatment for depression, 90% of people in a clinical management group
relapsed at least once over a 6-year period compared to only 40% of people who completed a
well-being based intervention. Ryff and Singer (1996) have suggested that the absence of wellbeing creates conditions of vulnerability to possible future adversities and that the route to
enduring recovery lies not exclusively in alleviating the negative, but in also engendering the
positive. In an effort to focus on moving past this state of depression to a state of well-being,
we have utilized an intervention similar to Fava & Ruinis Well Being Therapy (WBT) outlined in
their 2003 article to explore the potential benefits such interventions can have with survivors
of SCI. WBT is a cognitive-behavioral approach based on Carol Ryffs multidimensional model
of psychological well-being. We chose to add components of Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy (ACT) to our group intervention in hopes to add the concept of living according to
your values to this intervention. To our knowledge, no other study has attempted to replicate
this finding in a group of people with chronic physical disabilities. This article seeks to further
this line of study by proposing that a well-being based ACT intervention will be a significant
predictor of lower depression scores at 0 and 6 months following the intervention in a group of
people with spinal cord injury. In addition, we hope that by increasing well-being we can
prevent hospitalizations associated with secondary complications in SCI survivors. Methods
This pilot study consists of eight group sessions where the focus is on increasing well-being in
the six dimensions proposed by Ryff (1989) and on aiding participants to live according their
values in the six domains identified. Participants consist of the board members of the Spinal
Cord Injury Support Group (SCISG) at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. The following
assessments were administered directly before (Time point 1) and after the intervention (Time
point 2) and again 6 months following the intervention (Time point 3): the Acceptance and
Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II); Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); Post Traumatic
Growth Inventory (PTGI); Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB); Quality of Life after Spinal
Cord Injury (QLI-SCI); State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y6) and the Trait Hope Scale (HS).
Results We will run a repeated measures one-way ANOVA to compare the means of the PHQ-9
to see if they significantly differ across the three time points. If the means do differ, we will
conduct post-hoc analyses to see which time points are different. We expect the scores of the
PHQ-9 at time points 2 & 3 to be significantly lower than Time point 1. We will conduct similar
analyses to explore the other potential effects of this novel intervention (e.g. increased wellbeing). Discussion We expect that following this intervention, we can help lower depression
and increase quality of life scores in this population. It is also expected that participants
exprience increased levels of well-being in the six domains proposed by Ryff and have a better
understanding about which behaviors participants can engage in to live according to their
identified values. Finally, we expect that as a result of their increased level of well-being,
participants will have less complications associated with a spinal cord injury and therefore less
hospitalizations. It is our hope that we can tailor this group intervention to populations that
are likely to experience decreased well-being in the future such as individuals with traumatic
brain injury, cardiovascular problems, limb-loss, stroke and other disabilities.
27. Reducing Aggression One Value at a Time

Subtopic: Value-Consistent Living, Aggression
Teresa Hulsey, B.A., University of North Texas
Erin K. M. Hogan, B.A., B.S., University of North Texas
Amy R. Murrell, Ph.D., University of North Texas
Sarah E. Pepper, Ph.D., VA North Texas Healthcare System
Value-consistent living involves actively behaving in accordance with freely identified and
chosen life pursuits, regardless of emotional states (e.g., anger). Values have no achievable
endpoint (Murrell & Kapadia, 2011; Wilson & DuFrene, 2009). Valued living is significantly
negatively associated with general pathology, treatment difficulty, relationship and other
psychosocial environmental problems, and with a hostile attitude (Wilson, Sandoz, Kitchens &
Roberts, 2010). Engaging in behaviors consistent with ones values can act as a protective
factor against internalizing and externalizing difficulties, such as aggression. Aggression is
significantly associated with substance abuse (Bushman, 1993), situational stressors
(Berkowitz, 1993), early traumatic experiences (Flemke, 2009), and impulsivity (Derefinko,
DeWall, Metze, Walsh, & Lynam, 2011). Although the relationship between impulsivity and
aggression has been supported in many studies, the relationship between value-consistent
living and aggression was in need of investigation. A sample of 368 undergraduate students
completed online self-report measures of impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, BIS-11;
Barratt, 1959, 1994), valued living (Valued Living Questionnaire, VLQ; Wilson et al., 2010), and
aggression (Aggression Questionnaire, AGQ; Buss & Perry, 1992). Results from a multiple
regression analysis indicated that valued living negatively predicts aggression ( = -.12, t = 2.47, p = .014), after controlling for impulsivity ( = .42, t = 8.52, p < .001). The implications of
identification of and living consistently with values on aggression will be discussed. Aggression
correlates and potential interventions, along with ideas for future research, will be covered.
28. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Substance Use Disorder | Qualitative review
Subtopic: Substance Use Disorder
Toshitaka Ii, Dept of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University
Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Hirofumi Sato, Dept of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University
Norio Watanabe, Translational Medical Center, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Tatsuo Akechi, Dept of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University
Back ground Substance Use Disorder is characterized by cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and
physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite
significant substance related problems. Approximately five per cent of the worlds adult
population are estimated to have used an illegal drug at least once in 2010. Problem drug
users are 0.6 per cent of the world adult population. In 2010, substance use disorders
accounted for 13.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) (95% CI 11.5~15.8 million).
Clinical guidelines recommends psychosocial interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy in
particular. On the other hand, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one of the socalled third wave cognitive and behavioral therapies. In the ACT theory, people always try to
avoid or control unwanted thoughts, feelings, sensations, impulses and other experiences. This
experiential avoidance plays important role in variety of addiction problems. Focusing on
acceptance of emotional difficulties related to day-to-day stress in order to reduce experiential
avoidance that bring into difficulties for over the life, ACT may be effective for Substance Use
Disorder. However there are no systematic reviews on the effects of ACT for Substance Use
Disorder.The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of ACT approaches for Substance
Use Disorders. Methods This study is a qualitative review that is conducted as one of Cochrane
Reviews. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared ACT for Substance Use
Disorders in adults and adolescent will be sought. Primary outcome is the number of patients
who can abstinence from substance and the change in substance use. Secondary outcomes
include the Severity Dependence Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and the World Health
Organization Quality of Life. The trial database in the Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group will
be searched. We will conduct a qualitative review of RCTs by summarizing findings and
discussing about the effects of ACT for Substance Use Disorder. Our study is in the middle of
reviewing. Results and discussions are scheduled to be completed by the ACBS World
Conference.
29. The Effect of Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Patients with Severe
Health Anxiety
Subtopic: Health anxiety
Trine Eilenberg, Ph.D., Research Clinic for Functional Disorders, Denmark
lisbeth frostholm, Ph.D., research clinic for functional disorders
Background Existing randomized controlled trials of psychological treatments of health anxiety

have primarily tested individual cognitive behavioural treatments. The aim of this study was to
test the effect of ACT group therapy for severe health anxiety. Method and Design A two-arm
randomised, controlled trial including 126 of 173 consecutively referred patients during March
2010 to April 2012 (mean age 37 years) meeting research criteria for severe health anxiety.
After diagnostic assessment patients were block-randomised into ACT-G (ten 3-h sessions)
(n=63) or a ten-month wait list (n=63). Main outcome measure Primary outcome was selfrated improvement in illness worry on the Whiteley-7 Index (WI) ten months after
randomisation. Results Intention-to-treat analysis showed a mean improvement of 22.1 score
points (95% CI 15.3 to 28.7, p<0.001) in ACT-G on the WI from baseline to ten months after
randomisation and a mean change of 1.5 score points in the wait list (95% CI -4.3 to 7.3,
p=0.607). The unadjusted mean difference of 21.3 score points (95% CI 12.6 to 30.0, p<0.001)
between the groups at ten months were statistically significant and controlled effect sizes
were large (Cohens d=0.89, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.3). The number needed to treat was 2.4 (95% CI
1.4 to 3.4, p<0.001). Conclusions ACT delivered in a group format seems feasible, acceptable
and effective in treating severe health anxiety.
30. Validation of The Brief Multidimensional Students Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) for
the Italian youth population
Subtopic: adolescents, life satisfaction, wellbeing
Gilda Picchio, Psy.D., Associazione Italiana Scienze Comportamentali e Cognitive (AISCC)
The Brief Multidimensional Students Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) is a 5 items self-report
measure created to survey children and adolescents satisfaction towards five areas of life
considered most significant during youth develop: family life, friendships, school experiences,
self, and then living environment. BMSLSS has been translated into Italian and submitted to a
non-clinical sample of about 450 students ages 11 14. Adolescents with higher BMSLSS
scores show significantly higher scores at mindfulness, defusion and subjective happiness
measures, while adolescents with lower BMSLSS scores reveal higher scores at measures
assessing cognitive dysfunctions and psychopathological symptoms. The psychometric
characteristics of this version has been successfully analyzed, taking the shape of an
appropriate measure of positive subjective well-being of italian youth.
31. Iraping the Reality Slap: A pilot trial

Subtopic: defusion, IRAP
Valeria Squatrito, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Giovambattista Presti, Kore University, Enna (Italy)
Paolo Moderato, Iulm University, Milan (Italy)
Experiential avoidance refers to the unwillingness to contact particular private experiences

(e.g., bodily sensations, emotions, thoughts, memories, and behavioral predispositions) and to
take steps to alter the form or frequency of these events. In specific context patterns of
avoidance bring individuals away from a valued path of living. Acceptance and Commitment
Therapys based protocols work to increase psychological flexibility and healthy functioning
while decreasing experiential avoidance. When faced with a discrepancy between what they
have and what they want, verbally competent human beings may prove negative feelings such
as anger and sadness and show pattern of experiential avoidance. Harris (2012) used the
expression reality slap to describe this gap. To test the effect of a component of an ACT
protocol after verbally reproducing a personal reality slap 10 university studebts were tested
with IRAP before and after a defusion mindfulness exercise delivered via audio file. In addition
explicit measures of avoidance, believability and discomfort were used before and after the
same exercise. After listening to a passage of the Reality Slap (Harris, 2012) students were
asked to write down, to rate the intensity of psychological suffering after reading it and to
close in an envelop Effects of defusion in explicit and implicit measures were demonstrated in
students who underwent the meditation exercise, but not in students who were busy in a
distraction task. The small number of subjects limits the generalization of these data, but
strengthens this model as a way to test the interaction of verbal repertoires and one
component, namely defusion, of ACT protocols.
32. Ultra-brief defusion and acceptance interventions for chocolate craving taught by an
inexperienced facilitator
Subtopic: Eating behaviour, brief interventions
Wendy Nicholls, PhD, University of Wolverhampton
Nick Hulbert-Williams PhD, University of Chester
Sian Williamson BSc, University of Chester
Jivone Poonia BSc, University of Wolverhampton
Lee Hulbert-Williams PhD, University of Chester
Introduction Food cravings are associated with higher body mass and poor outcome in weight
loss programmes. To date, there has been a dearth of effective strategies for ameliorating the
effects of food cravings. We report a trial of ultra-brief (15-minute) contextual behavioural
interventions, supported by self-help leaflets, in association with a chocolate challenge.
Method Sixty-three student participants (mean Body Mass Index = 24.7, SD=5.1) ranging in age
from 18 to 47 (M=22.6, SD=6.4) were pseudo-randomised to groups and then briefly taught
either an acceptance, defusion, or relaxation (control) technique. Participants were asked to
carry a bag of chocolates for the subsequent week without eating them. Measures included a
self-report diary, and the number of chocolates consumed during a rebound period at the end
of the experiment. Results Planned contrasts suggest that the two intervention strategies were
effective by comparison with a relaxation control, though this was not reflected in a self-report
diary measure. Discussion Ultra-brief contextual interventions may have utility in helping
clients deal with food cravings and can be taught by inexperienced facilitators, given proper
support materials.
33. Potential efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation in the
primary health care setting: Preliminary findings
Subtopic: Smoking cessation
Yim-wah MAK, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
AY Loke, Ph.D, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Objective: The objective of this study is to report preliminary findings for a randomized
controlled trial examining the feasibility and potential efficiency of an individual, telephonedelivered acceptance and commitment therapy among Chinese population. Design: A
randomized, two-group design was chosen, with assessment at baseline (before intervention)
and via telephone follow-ups at three, six, and twelve months. Subjects were proactively
recruited from six primary healthcare centers. Eligible and consented participants were
randomly assigned to either the intervention (ACT) or control group following the baseline
assessment. Both groups received self-help materials on smoking cessation. Those in the ACT
group were undergone an initial face-to-face session and two telephone ACT sessions at one
week and one month following the first session, to be delivered by a counselor based on the
acceptance and commitment treatment protocol. Results: Up till December 2014, participants
in the intervention (n=77) and control (n=79) groups were similar in baseline characteristics.
Preliminarily findings on the primary outcome on 7-day point prevalence at the 12-month
follow-up the cessation rate for participants assigned to the intervention group (n=7, 9.09%),
while not statistically significant that of the control group (n=9, 11.39%). Effects on secondary
outcomes such as average daily cigarette consumption, stages of readiness to quit smoking,
quit attempts and psychological flexibility are to be conducted. Discussion: The study will
provide evidence about a program which is preventive and corrective, and carries brief
messages by approaching and influencing services attendees of primary health care settings,
who may not think of smoking cessation. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 26 July
2012. Identifier number: NCT01652508
34. An Initial Research on the Role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the
Explanation of Fear of Failure in a Sample of College Students
Subtopic: Fear of failure
Catherine Ethier, Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
Joel Gagnon, Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
Frdrick Dionne, PhD, Universit du Qubec Trois-Rivires
In the recent years, there has been a growing interest in the application of ACT in college and
university settings (Pistorello, 2013). Indeed, there are at least two randomized trials exploring
the efficacy of ACT for math anxiety (Zettle, 2005) and for test anxiety problems (Brown et al.,
2011). Furthermore, the association between experiential avoidance and anxiety has been
established in several correlational studies (see Ruiz, 2010 for a review). However, very few
studies have addressed the contribution of ACTs core processes in the explanation of fear of
failure. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the contribution of three ACT processes,
namely experiential avoidance (AAQ-II), cognitive fusion (CFQ), and mindfulness (MAAS), on a
measure of fear of failure taken from a subscale of the Academic Procrastination State
Inventory (APSI; Schouwenburg, 1992). A sample consisting of 282 students from the
University of Quebec at Trois-Rivires completed the AAQ-II, CFQ, MAAS, and the APSI. A twostep hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed. Gender was entered in the first
step as a control variable. In the second step, in line with ACT theory, experiential avoidance,
cognitive fusion, and mindfulness were added in the model. Results showed a statistically
significant overall model F(4, 277) = 30.22, p < .05, accounting for 30 % of the total variance of
fear of failure. At the individual level, experiential avoidance (= 0.17, p < .05), and
mindfulness (= -0.32, p < .05) were both significant predictors of fear of failure. Treatment
implications and future directions will be discussed.
35. An Investigation of Peers, Delinquency, and Psychological Flexibility in Undergraduate

Students
Subtopic: College Students
Jennifer Lackey, M.A., Bowling Green State University
Sindhia Swaminathan, B.S., Bowling Green State University
Carolyn Joyce Tompsett, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
General components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), such as experiential

avoidance, acceptance, and values, have been shown to be related to several outcomes in
college student populations (Levin, 2013; Scent, & Boes, 2014). This study seeks to examine
the role of the broad ACT concept of psychological inflexibility in relation to several college
undergraduate outcome measures including undergraduates self-reported delinquency, their
perceptions of peers delinquency, substance use, depression, and anxiety. We expect to find
that students scoring high on a measure of psychological inflexibility (cite for measure here)
will report a number of associated negative outcomes, including greater rates of problem
behaviors, association with more deviant peers, more substance use, and higher levels of
depressive and anxious symptoms. Currently online surveys have been collected with N = XXX
students at a large, Midwestern university, and data collection is ongoing. Additionally,
exploratory analyses will be run on psychological inflexibility and demographic variables to
determine if further noteworthy differences exist between groups. Results will be presented
and discussed in the context of informing university level awareness and intervention
programs regarding the utility of addressing psychological flexibility among incoming students.
36. Experiential Avoidance, Empathy and Anger Attitudes In Antisocial Personality Disorder
Primary Topic: Functional contextual approaches in related disciplines
Subtopic: Antisocial Personality Disorder, psychological flexibility
K. Fatih Yavuz, M.D., Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology,
Istanbul, Turkey
Sevinc Ulusoy, M.D., Elazig State Hospital for Mental Health and Disorders, Elazig, Turkey
Oktay Sahin, M.D., Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology,
Istanbul, Turkey
Okan Ufuk Ipek, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology,
Istanbul, Turkey
Background: Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is characterized by a long-standing pattern

of a disregard for other peoples rights, often crossing the line and violating those rights. There
are many theories about the psychopathologic background of dysfunctional behaviors that
accompanies ASPD like anatomical differences, lack of empathy, temperament, difficulty in
physiological arousal and schemas with themes of worthlessness and unlovability. ACT
approach, based on functional contextualism, can be a useful model to explain ASPD by
evaulating behavior comprehensively. The aim of this study is to research correlation of
psychological flexibility and empathy levels with social functionality and anger patterns of
individuals with ASPD and compare them with control group. Method: The study consists of 34
male literate voluntary individual with ASPD who received treatment in Bakirkoy Research and
Training Hospital for Psychiatry and Neurology and 32 male literate voluntary individual
without any psychiatric disorder. Socio-demographic data form, Interpersonal reactivity index
(IRI), Acceptance and action questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), The State-Trait Anger Expression
Scale(STAXI), Social functioning scale (SFS) were administered to participants. Results: Chisquare test was used to compare sociodemographic factors; suicidal behavior, domestic
violence, immigration in childhood rates were higher than control group (p<0,001). With Mann
Whitney U test the findings showed that Trait anger, anger expression-out, anger
expression-in total scores were significantly higher in ASPD group than the control group
(P<0,01), while there was no significant difference at anger control subscale total scores
(p>0.05). Also AAQ-II total scores were found significantly higher in ASPD group,too.
Independed T-test was used to compare IRI scores in empathy related analysis. Perspective
taking subscale total scores were significanty lower while fantasy subscale total scores were
higher in ASPD group and no significant statistical difference was found in Empathic Concern
and Personal Distress subscale scores. In the analysis of SFS Social withdrawal subscale total
scores were found significantly higher and prosocial activities were lower in ASPD group.
Discussion: Individuals with ASPD meet physical and emotional stressors like immigration,
violence that can be resource of disfunctional behaviors in the developmental period more
than others. Higher scores at trait anger, anger expression-out, anger expression-in may
indicate experiential avoidance. Supression attempts or outpouring of anger can be related
with not accepting anger as normal and rules about necessity to reduce it. Another finding of
our study is lower scores of Perspective taking (PT) in ASPD group. PT skill is one of the six
core processes of psychological flexibility model of ACT that emphasizes awareness of both
private events and external stimuluses and observing them as they are. This finding indicates
that individuals with ASPD have weak perspektif taking attitudes for present situations by
putting themselves in anothers place. We found that fantasy subscale of IRI and AAQ-II total
scores were higher in ASPD group. This shows that individuals with ASPD are unwilling to
experience private events, so try to control or escape from them and they use daydreaming
(fantasy) as a cognitive avoidance method. In conclusion lack of perspective taking and
experiential avoidance can be evaluated as two important dimensions in the development of
ASPD.
37. Coping with somatic symptom disorders: The impact on quality of life and the
moderating role of psychological flexibility
Subtopic: Somatic Symptom Disorders
Chrysanthi Leonidou, M.Sc., University of Cyprus
Georgia Panayiotou, Ph.D., University of Cyprus
Maria Karekla, Ph.D., University of Cyprus
Aspa Bati, B.A., University of Cyprus
Background. Clinical levels of somatic symptom disorders influence individuals functioning in

the psychological, social, professional and other domains, and account for frequent medical
visits and excessive healthcare costs. The present study aims to investigate the impact of
somatic symptom and illness anxiety disorders on quality of life, potential differences on
coping strategies utilized by individuals who meet the criteria for the two diagnoses and the
role of psychological flexibility. Method. 295 community volunteers (182 females;
Mage=44.84, SD=1.17) were recruited through stratified random sampling for the purposes of
a larger epidemiological study in Cyprus and completed a set of questionnaires, including
Greek versions of Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action
Questionnaire, Brief COPE, and World Health Organizations Quality of Life instrument. Results.
Multivariate analyses of covariance indicate that controlling for the severity of medical
conditions, groups meeting somatic symptom disorders screening criteria report reduced
quality of life on the physical, psychological and environmental domains, compared to the
typical group. In addition, groups meeting screening criteria report more avoidant coping
strategies, and lower psychological flexibility, which also significantly moderates the impact of
somatic symptom disorders on specific domains of quality of life. Discussion. These findings
extend existing evidence on the role of psychological flexibility as a buffering factor between
psychopathology and quality of life for another population, individuals with somatic symptom
disorders, and provide guidance for the development of prevention and therapeutic
interventions.
38. The Impact of Acceptance vs Suppression During an ROTC Army Physical Fitness Test
Subtopic: Performance and Sports Psychology
Stephen Sheets, MA, California School of Professional Psychology
Jill Stoddard, Ph.D, California School of Professional Psychology
Background: In performance and sports psychology, Psychological Skills Training (PST), which
involves suppression and control strategies including arousal control, goal setting, self-talk,
and imagery/visualization, has dominated the focus of research and practice for the last 30
years (Singer et al., 1991). Despite its use as the primary methodology for performance and
sports psychologists, the efficacy of PST has been found to be at best experimental (Gardner &
Moore, 2009). Growing research is investigating the application of Mindfulness and
Acceptance-based Therapies to sports performance on the field of play (Gardner & Moore,
2006). However, little is understood about the underlying mechanisms of performance.
Furthermore, despite the emphasis the military places on performance, little research has
been conducted with military populations and the role of performance enhancement
techniques. Method: 95 ROTC cadets from three San Diego Universities participated in an
experimental study to determine the effects of emotion regulation on physical performance.
Utilizing a 2 X 2 factor design, participants were randomized to either an acceptance or
suppression emotion regulation condition. Dependent variables included scores on the Army
Physical Fitness Test (APFT), the Activity Flow State Scale (AFSS; Payne, et. al. 2011), and
participants subjective self-ratings of performance. It was hypothesized that participants in
the acceptance group would demonstrate greater improvements in performance over time
following the intervention. Analyses included a Repeated-measures Multivariate Analysis of
Variance (MANOVA) to assess for main effects and interactions. Results: Results indicated
three significant interactions. First, the participants APFT scores has a significant interaction of
F(1, 93)=4.278, p=.041. Second, the participants subjective rate of performance has a
significant interaction of F(1, 93)=4.138, p=.045. Finally, the participants push-up scores has a
significant interaction of F(1,93)=6.073, p=.061. Further detail can be provided as to the
specifics of these interactions through post-hoc tests. Discussion: The results are consistent
with previous research suggesting acceptance based emotion regulation strategies may
provide advantages over suppression techniques across a number of domains (e.g., pain
tolerance, distress about pain, mobility, emotional recovery). Results from this study may have
implications for improved sport and military performance.
39. Combining mindfulness and ACT to learn how to manage emotions and to engage in
valued activities: Assessment of the feasibility of a training group and its efficiency
Subtopic: Acceptance and commitment therapy
Aurlie Wagener, M.A., University of Lige
Christophe Dierickx, M.A., University of Liege
Sylvie Blairy, Ph.D., University of Liege
BACKGROUND Managing painful emotions could be an issue for a lot of adults. Indeed,
learning how to manage painful emotions is an often-requested demand in psychotherapy.
Mindfulness-based programs and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) offer useful tools
which aim to guide in this learning process. ACT also provide guidelines to engage in valued
activities. In order to help community adults to manage their painful emotions and to engage
themselves in valued activities, we offer training group cycles combining tools of mindfulnessbased programs and ACT. This study aims to assess the feasibility of such training groups and
their efficiency. METHODS A longitudinal design with three assessment-times (T0, T1 and T2) is
employed. Participants to the training group attend to three three-hours training sessions on a
six-weeks period. They are assessed before the training sessions (T0), directly after (T1) and at
three-months follow-up (T2). Questionnaires assess these variables: sociodemographic data,
mood, mindfulness, psychological flexibility, cognitive coping strategies and behavioural
activation. Student t tests for paired samples are conducted. RESULTS Fifty-four adults
participated to four training cycles (the cycles are all identical). Until now, 28 participants (21
women) completed the T0 and the T1 (mean age = 41.43, SD = 11.83). Student t test indicate a
significant decrease of depression (t(25) = 4.53, p < 0,001), anxiety (t(25) = 6.23, p < 0.001) and
non-adaptive cognitive coping strategies (t(24) = 3.76, p < 0.001). Student t test also indicate a
significant increase in mindfulness (t(26) = -3.87, p < 0.001), psychological flexibility (t(26)) = 5.48, p < 0.001) and behavioural activation (t(26) = -4.86, p < 0.001). DISCUSSION Preliminary
results indicate the feasibility of training groups combining tools of mindfulness-based
programs and ACT. Results show a decrease in several variables (depression, anxiety and nonadaptive cognitive coping strategies) and an increase in other variables (mindfulness,
psychological flexibility and behavioural activation). These results seem to indicate that
participants benefit from the training groups. Data collection is still ongoing and a control
group (waiting-list) is currently being composed. Results and clinical implications will be
further discussed during the congress.
40. Promoting the effectiveness of teachers group work in Italian Secondary Schools: The
assessment of psychological flexibility as preliminary phase for intervention
Subtopic: Groups
Elena Catenacci, IESCUM
Giovanna Fungi, IESCUM
Francesca Pergolizzi, IESCUM
Effective teachers teamwork is considered to play a crucial role within school improvement
strategies intended as prevention and community based interventions. In this poster we
describe the assessment phase of a project aimed at exploring and enhancing psychological
flexibility in teams of teachers (Consigli di Classe CC) of Italian Secondary schools, referring to
an ACT based approach which can help groups take the committed actions needed to achieve
common goals (Hayes, Barnes-Holmes, Wilson, 2012). This phase is to be seen in the light of
Nudge Theory (Hausman, Welch, 2010): positive reinforcement and indirect suggestions are
used to achieve non-forced compliance and to influence the decision making process of
groups. To assess the groups awareness of its values and the committed actions implemented
by the group itself, each teacher received via email a presentation of the project, an
anagraphic questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, 1994), the Psychological
Flexibility Survey and the Rating by group members of the core and auxiliary design principles
(Biglan, Ciarrochi, Hayes, Miller, Polk, Wilson, 2014). Collected data will be presented and
discussed in the poster. The following step will involve some CCs in an intervention to
increment the level of the groups psychological flexibility.
41. Mindfulness-based training and ACT in a palliative care setting

Subtopic: Palliative Care, Mindfulness, Health Psychology, ACT
Elisa Rabitti, Ph.D, ACT-Italia, AUSL RE, IESCUM
Anna MAria Marzi, Hospice Madonna Uliveto (RE)
Background: The contact with difficult emotions is a main point in palliative cares settings, and
frequently the challenge of the staff is how to stay with" the patient's experience. Remain for
a long period in a context that requires the ability to interface with extremely heavy situations
from emotional point of view could expose the nursing staff to the risk of burn-out. In order to
increase the emotional resources of the professionals involved in the context of the Hospice,
we proposed an experiential training based on the integration of ACT and experience of
Mindfulness. Method: The training was structured into three sessions of three hours each and
participants were doctors, nurses and medical social workers. In order to measure the effect of
the intervention on participants we used the AAQ-II. Result: AAQ-II's scores reported by 26
participants showed an increasing in psychological flexibility and acceptance of difficult
emotions.
42. Radio show: "The Voice of Madness Live on Air"

Subtopic: Destigmatisation, social affirmation
Mario Maricic, BA of Psychology, NGO "Metanoia"
Radio show: "The Voice of Madness Live on Air" (originaly Glas ludila u Eteru) is genuine and
sustainable project of the NGO Metanoia, Association for destigmatisation and social
affirmation of persons with psycho social difficulties. It aims to encourage social inclusion
and equality of persons with psychosocial difficulties. The radio show was modeled from the
similiar project created in Buenos Aires (Radio la Colifata) and Barcelona (Radio Nikosia).
Project in Western Balkans first started in Zagreb in 2010. After that, in Sarajevo and Banjaluka
(2013), and in Belgrade (2014). Project is decentralised, and is governed by the people in their
own local comunities, so the four cities have different management and their unique
dynamics. It is supported by local radio stations. The project is solely based on the voluntary
work of the members of the "Metanoia" (Sarajevo), students of Psychology (Banjaluka) and it
wasn`t funded not from foreign or from local donors. In Banjaluka it started from pure
entusiasm. Radio show is completely created, managed and runned by persons who had
experience as patients in the psychiatric system and whose experience is labeled by at least
one of the psychiatric diagnosis. Radio as medium is selected because it can provide protection
of the identity for the persons who are involved in running the show. One of the goals of the
radio show is to create context in which ones with the experience from the psychiatric system
can express themselves in their own unique way. Context in which they can share their unique
stories, talents, hopes, fears and etc., without sanctions. Also, it provides context in which is
supported conversation about problems in mental health comunity, psychiatric disorders,
diagnosis and stigmatisation. Often, guests are publicly relevant and recognised persons, such
as actors, musicians, poets, psychologists, psychiatrists, who share their own toughts about
their own suffering, their own "madness" and etc. Experience so far (Banjaluka) showed that
listeners and guests who are following the radio show, changing their views, when it`s about
psychological difficulties. Public figures who were guests and are interviewed by someone with
diagnosis, without exception talked about positive experience and about breaking their
prejudices regarding people who were diagnosed as schizophrenics. Example (from Banjaluka),
which describes impact of being involved in these kind of activities in real life is example of one
of our participants who were diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar personality disorder, OCD
and etc. in the period of working on the radio show, not once was returned into psychiatry
hospital. Before that period, she was in psychiatry as inpatient at least 2 times a year. Today,
she is 2nd year journalist student.
43. The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure: a promising method to measure Implicit
Attitudes toward Auditory Verbal Hallucinations
Subtopic: IRAP
Mirte Mellon, MSc., Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for
Psychiatry, Venray
Annemieke Hendriks, MSc., Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh
Institute for Psychiatry, Venray
Ciara McEnteggart, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Linde van Dongen, MSc., Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute
for Psychiatry, Venray
Gwenny Janssen, Ph.D., Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute
for Psychiatry, Venray
Yvonne Barnes-Holmes, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Prof. dr. Jos Egger, Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for
Psychiatry, Venray
Background: The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) is a relatively new method
for measuring implicit attitudes. The current study examined the utility of the IRAP to point out
differences in implicit attitudes toward Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (AVHs) between
psychotic patients and non-clinical voice hearers. Method: Two IRAPsone concerning
emotional valence and one concerning perceived controllability of AVHswere completed by
psychotic patients and non-clinical voice hearers. The IRAPs required participants to
sometimes respond to statements in a way that was consistent with their beliefs and
sometimes in a way that was inconsistent with their beliefs. Results: The results showed no
significant group differences in IRAP effects (i.e., response latency differentials between
consistent and inconsistent trials). However, a trend was found for non-clinical voice hearers
to be more accepting (as opposed to controlling) toward their voices than psychotic patients.
No correlations were found between the IRAP and corresponding self-report measures.
Discussion: These findings provide preliminary indications for the utility of the IRAP to point
out differences in implicit attitudes between the groups. Additionally, the fact that no
correlations were found between the IRAP and corresponding self-report measures suggests
that the IRAP may have potential to usefully complement self-report measures. Further
research on the IRAP regarding voice-related attitudes is recommended, as this may contribute
to a more profound understanding and assessment of AVHs in the future.
44. Comparision between experimentally and pre-experimentally established attitudes

measured with the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP)
Subtopic: IRAP, Basic Research
Pablo J. L. Zaldivar, Universidad de Almeria
Magdalena Hyla, Uniwersytet lski w Katowicach (University of Silesia)
Lidia Budziszewska, Universidad de Almeria
In order to develop experimental analogs of concrete situations, behavioural researchers

frequently generate experimentally the function of stimuli. This also applies to the IRAP
research. Despite that, there is no experimental evidence analysing how to compare between
experimentally or pre-experimentally induced attitudes, either within IRAP research or within
behavioural research in general. Native Polish or Spanish speakers without previous IRAP
training or any knowledge of the unknown language (Polish for Spanish participants and
Spanish for Polish ones) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: pre-experimental or
experimental attitudes training. Participants who were assigned to the experimental attitude
condition were trained to respond using the unknown language (Spanish or Polish) and then
were tested with an IRAP about the relations they learned, whereas participants assigned to
the pre-experimental attitudes condition were trained to respond in their native language and
then tested with an IRAP about the relations they already knew. Results are discussed in
accordance with hypotheses: because of a lower amount of received reinforcement, 1)
experimentally induced attitudes will produce a lower IRAP effect than the pre-experimentally
induced attitudes and 2) D-IRAP scores of the experimental attitudes induction condition will
decrease sooner and more significantly than the pre-experimental ones.
45. Pragmatism, contextualism and the radical behaviorist perspective about science
Subtopic: Radical behaviorism
Cesar Antonio Alves da Rocha, Federal University of Sao Carlos
Radical behaviorist philosophy, and the science of behavior analysis, are said to be inspired by
the philosophy of pragmatism. Some authors have argued that the world view of such a
science is contextualism, according to the work of Stephen Pepper, who asserted that
contextualism is a theory about the world derived from classic pragmatism. Besides this, some
have argued that contemporary pragmatism, such as the perspective developed by Richard
Rorty, also shares common traits with behavior analysis. But the issue is far from being
consensual: some have argued that mechanism is the more appropriate world view for
characterizing behavior analysis, pointing out that contextualism would not be productive.
Given this dissent, the proposal of this presentation is to compare and discuss the radical
behaviorist perspective about science and pragmatist remarks about science, with the goal of
clarifying relations established between pragmatism, contextualism and radical behaviorism.
46. Developing a new behavioral task for measuring defusion in depressed people:
Comparing performance on the Kanji maze task and IRAP
Subtopic: defusion rumination rigidity IRAP
Yuki Shigemoto, Graduate school of psychology Doshisha University
Muto Takashi, Faculty of psychology Doshisha University
Background: The purpose of this study is to develop a new behavior task to measure defusion
in depressed people. While the IRAP (Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure) is a useful tool
for measuring defusion, it is difficult to implement in clinical interview, as, it takes a long time
to complete. Thus, this study developed a new behavioral task the Kanji-maze task to
measure defusion and investigated its validity. An alphabet-maze was referred to when
developing the Kanji-maze task. An alphabet-maze is a maze that consists of letters in the
alphabet. The purpose of the task is to move from the upper right corner of the maze to the
lower left corner, spelling out English words on the way. Participants were told to use the
shortest solution to reach the end. Initial mazes were solvable by the same route, but in later
mazes, it was possible to solve using an additional much shorter route without warning. In this
study, a Japanese version of the task consisting of Chinese characters (Kanji) was developed
and administered. Method : Participants completed the Ruminative Response Scale, Cognitive
Fusion questionnaire, and Beck Depression InventorII and performed the IRAP and Kanjimaze task. Result and discussion: Correlation was found between the IRAP and Kanji-maze task
and among the Kanji-maze task and questionnaires. These results indicated that the Kanjimaze task is a useful tool for measuring defusion.
47. Using Implicit Measures to predict known groups: An IRAP v IAT comparison
Subtopic: IRAP
Aidan Hart, D.Clinpsy, University of Lincoln, UK
Ross Bartels, Ph.D, University of Lincoln, UK
Recent years have seen an increase in the use of implicit measures to assess hard to access
beliefs/covert behaviour processes. In the field of Forensic Clinical Psychology there has been a
growing interest in the use of such measures to assess group differences in offence supportive
attitudes between offenders and non-offenders. Such uses can be problematic due to
potential overlaps in the groups, such as shared pro-offending attitudes or undetected
delinquency in the control group. The current authors believe that more work is needed to
demonstrate that such measures can actually differentiate between groups where we would
expect minimal overlap before their use is extended to such applied settings. In order to carry
out such a test 183 self-identifying heterosexuals (m=91, f= 92) completed both an IRAP and an
IAT that broadly measured their attitudes to the opposite and same sex in terms of sexual
attractiveness and unattractiveness. The ability of each measure to differentiate the groups
(male v female) was analysed using logistic regression and discriminative function analysis. The
differences between the two measures and their relative strengths and weaknesses are
discussed.
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RESUMEN POSTERS - ACBS Annual World Conference 13 (Berlín, 2015)

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RESUMEN POSTERS - ACBS Annual World Conference 13 (Berlín, 2015)

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RESUMEN - POSTERS

Wednesday, 15 July - Poster Session #1

Background: Facing infertility is often seen as a physically and psychologically demanding

2. An examination of psychological flexibility in the context of parental well-being and infant

3. The role of psychological flexibility in predicting treatment response for a behavioral

Primary Topic: Clinical Interventions and Interests

4. Beyond a physical symptom: The importance of psychosocial factors in Multiple Sclerosis

6. A confirmatory factor analysis of facets of psychological flexibility in a sample of people

Background: Evidence supports the validity of subprocesses of psychological flexibility in the

Abraham Alvarez, CRPS Hermanas Hospitalarias

8. Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS): Psychometric Properties on an Italian sample of

9. Preliminary analysis of motivational reasons in an aversive task

10. Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on parental stress of mothers of

13. The effect of body image inflexibility on adolescent restrained eating

Background: Literature has considered negative perceptions of body image as important

15. Virtual defusion is real defusion? An exploration of a VR-supported defusion exercise

Background: Intuitive eating is defined as an adaptive form of eating characterized by the

17. Should eastern meditation be used in drug treatment facilities?: An examination of

18. Self-reference Alters Positive Evaluations in Borderline Personality Disorder

Subtopic: Borderline Personality Disorder

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by emotional

20. ACT-Cardbook / ACT-Kartenbuch

longitudinal research is to determine the relations between change expectations and

22. Profiles of Avoidance, Acceptance, Tolerance, and Mindfulness Predict Psychosocial

Giovambattista Presti, MD, Phd, Kore University, Enna (Italy)

Selective mutism is a complex disorder characterized by persistent inability to speak in specific

completed measurements at pre-treatment, post-treatment, as well as 6-months later at

30. The Use of Mindful Focusing as Chronic Pain Management Skills

Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) is developed to help individuals to

Background: Mindfulness interventions have become an increasingly popular psychological

mediators), especially since a significantl amount of therapeutic interventions incorporate

Primary Topic: Educational settings

36. Integrating ACT Training into Post-graduate Psychology programs at Makerere

My name is Rosco Kasujja, and I am from Kampala, Uganda. I am a clinical Psychologist

37. The role of experiential avoidance in a University setting: Associations between

positive reframing, denial, behavioral disengagement, etc). Regression analyses, however,

Primary Topic: Other

Background: Contemporary research indicates a relationship between cognition, emotion

acceptance of food-related internal experience, and relationships between cognitive restraint

45. Psychological inflexibility and anxiety in greek-cypriot adolescents

46. Training "barefoot counselors" in Afghan displaced persons camps

47. Predicting dishonest behaviors in the academic context

Thursday, 16 July - Poster Session #2

2. Investigating the Relationship Between Psychological Flexibility and Health Behaviors

was added in Step 2. Discussion: Findings highlight relationship between weight-related

Background: Empirical evidence demonstrates that psychological inflexibility is a major issue of

6. Does contextualizing AAQ make it more sensible to clinical changes? An exploratory

7. Evaluating the effect of a 3-days Acceptance and Commitment Therapy workshop on

8. Is less effective? A preliminary evaluation of the effects of a comprised ACT-treatment for

Research on the effectiveness of ACT as a parent counseling therapy is scarce. In a study by

12. A Pilot Study of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention addressing

18. Psychological flexibility in chronic pain: an exploratory analysis in an Italian population

19. Evaluating psychological flexibility in self-harmers: an exploratory study of Internet

Primary Topic: Clinical Interventions and Interests

Primary Topic: Relational Frame Theory

Background: Targeting maladaptive cognitions through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

25. The Relationship of Self-Compassion, Experiential Avoidance, and Depression among

26. A Preliminary Investigation of the Use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapeutic

Diane Gottlieb, Ph.D.; Valerie Harder, Ph.D., University of Vermont

Background Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder associated

Rikard Wicksell, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet

33. Disordered eating cognitions, pyschological flexibility, and help-seeking attitudes

Background: Investigating attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help may be