Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Emotional Wellbeing Among B.Sc. Nursing Students

Emotional wellbeing is an essential component of the overall health and academic success of nursing students, who often face considerable academic, clinical, and psychological challenges during their professional training. Enhancing emotional resilience and coping abilities among nursing students is therefore crucial for promoting both personal wellbeing and professional competence. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based behavioral therapy developed by Steven C. Hayes, has been widely used to improve psychological flexibility and emotional regulation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ACT on emotional wellbeing among B.Sc. Nursing students. A quantitative research approach with a quasi-experimental pre-test– post-test control group design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 88 B.Sc. Nursing students, who were divided equally into experimental (n = 44) and control (n = 44) groups using purposive sampling. Emotional wellbeing was assessed using standardized instruments including the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). A structured ACT-based intervention program was implemented among students in the experimental group over a specified period. The results of the study revealed a significant improvement in emotional wellbeing among students who received the ACT intervention. There was a significant increase in positive affect and life satisfaction, along with a reduction in negative affect and emotional regulation difficulties in the experimental group compared to the control group. Statistical analysis indicated that the differences between pre-test and post-test scores were significant at p < 0.05, demonstrating the effectiveness of the intervention. The findings suggest that ACT is an effective psychological intervention for enhancing emotional wellbeing among nursing students. Integrating ACT-based mental health programs within nursing education may help students develop psychological flexibility, improve coping skills, and manage academic and clinical stress more effectively. The study highlights the importance of implementing structured mental health interventions to promote the wellbeing and professional development of future nursing professionals.