A new psychosocial approach has recently been proposed to overcome the limitations and challenges of psychological pain therapy research. Process-based Therapy is an intervention model focusing on therapeutic processes, based on a testable theory, which promotes individualisation by adopting a dynamic and timely approach to the selection of intervention treatment procedures. Although this framework already incorporates a biopsychosocial foundation, its application has so far been primarily confined to psychological intervention. However, the use of an interdisciplinary team approach has been well-established as both effective and cost-efficient in addressing the multiple dimensions of pain. Building upon the biopsychosocial principles of Process-based Therapy, the present proposal introduces an interdisciplinary enhancement—Process-based Interdisciplinary Therapy (PbIT)—to extend its implementation to coordinated, multi-domain pain recovery. Socio-demographic and mediating variables, together with specific therapeutic strategies and interventions, are key elements to integrate all biopsychosocial factors in a therapeutic context. The interdisciplinary approach presented provides an expanded Process-based Therapy that further operationalises and reinforces the biopsychosocial model of pain.
{"title":"Process-based therapy in an interdisciplinary framework for pain recovery: from psychological processes to interdisciplinary processes","authors":"Klara Albajes , Valentina Barrios , Eduardo Keegan , Jenny Moix , Mariana Miracco , Lester Jones","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100975","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100975","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new psychosocial approach has recently been proposed to overcome the limitations and challenges of psychological pain therapy research. Process-based Therapy is an intervention model focusing on therapeutic processes, based on a testable theory, which promotes individualisation by adopting a dynamic and timely approach to the selection of intervention treatment procedures. Although this framework already incorporates a biopsychosocial foundation, its application has so far been primarily confined to psychological intervention. However, the use of an interdisciplinary team approach has been well-established as both effective and cost-efficient in addressing the multiple dimensions of pain. Building upon the biopsychosocial principles of Process-based Therapy, the present proposal introduces an interdisciplinary enhancement—Process-based Interdisciplinary Therapy (PbIT)—to extend its implementation to coordinated, multi-domain pain recovery. Socio-demographic and mediating variables, together with specific therapeutic strategies and interventions, are key elements to integrate all biopsychosocial factors in a therapeutic context. The interdisciplinary approach presented provides an expanded Process-based Therapy that further operationalises and reinforces the biopsychosocial model of pain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100975"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100981
Denise Aparecida Passarelli , Júlio C. de Rose , Táhcita Medrado Mizael , Bryan Roche
Racial biases can be captured using self-report methods and simulated first-person shooter games, such as Correll's Police Officer's Dilemma Task (PODT). The current study adopts a behavior-analytic approach to reducing racial bias on such measures. The prophylactic intervention involved exposing 116 White adults (mean age: 23.13 years; 67 females) to different configurations of the Function Acquisition Speed Test (FAST) across four conditions, before completing two self-report measures and the PODT. These conditions aimed to create functional response classes that were either consistent with racial bias, inconsistent with racial bias, or included both types (i.e., relational flexibility). A fourth control condition involved no intervention. Participants in the stereotype-consistent condition (C3) were more accurate in shooting armed Black targets compared to White targets. In addition, participants in both the stereotype-consistent (C3) and control (C4) groups showed significantly more false alarms for unarmed Black targets than for unarmed White targets, as well as a significantly more liberal decision criterion when responding to Black targets, meaning participants required less certainty before deciding to shoot Black targets. No such racial bias was observed in relational flexibility (C1) or stereotype-inconsistent (C2) conditions. These findings offer insight into how verbal relational training can influence and reduce racial bias in shoot decisions.
{"title":"Mitigating racial bias in a White sample using a prophylactic functional response class training method","authors":"Denise Aparecida Passarelli , Júlio C. de Rose , Táhcita Medrado Mizael , Bryan Roche","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100981","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100981","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Racial biases can be captured using self-report methods and simulated first-person shooter games, such as Correll's Police Officer's Dilemma Task (PODT). The current study adopts a behavior-analytic approach to reducing racial bias on such measures. The prophylactic intervention involved exposing 116 White adults (mean age: 23.13 years; 67 females) to different configurations of the Function Acquisition Speed Test (FAST) across four conditions, before completing two self-report measures and the PODT. These conditions aimed to create functional response classes that were either consistent with racial bias, inconsistent with racial bias, or included both types (i.e., relational flexibility). A fourth control condition involved no intervention. Participants in the stereotype-consistent condition (C3) were more accurate in shooting armed Black targets compared to White targets. In addition, participants in both the stereotype-consistent (C3) and control (C4) groups showed significantly more false alarms for unarmed Black targets than for unarmed White targets, as well as a significantly more liberal decision criterion when responding to Black targets, meaning participants required less certainty before deciding to shoot Black targets. No such racial bias was observed in relational flexibility (C1) or stereotype-inconsistent (C2) conditions. These findings offer insight into how verbal relational training can influence and reduce racial bias in shoot decisions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100981"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147394466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100978
Xiaoyuan Liu , Maithri Sivaraman , Kristina Chen , Elle Kirsten
Identifying similarities and differences between stimuli is a foundational skill in early childhood and a critical component of preschool curricula. Relational Frame Theory describes such responding based on formal properties as being foundational to language. However, research indicates that children with developmental disabilities and language delays may not readily acquire same/different relational responding (Kent et al., 2017). This study employed a concurrent multiple-probe design to examine the effectiveness of Multiple Exemplar Instruction (MEI) in teaching nonarbitrary same/different relational responding across two types of speaker and listener responses to three preschoolers with disabilities. Results showed that all participants demonstrated increased accuracy in same/different responses to novel stimuli following the intervention. Furthermore, two of our participants met mastery criterion on nonarbitrary analogy without direct teaching. These findings add to the literature on using MEI across topographies to promote relational responding in young children with language delays.
识别刺激之间的异同是幼儿时期的一项基本技能，也是学前教育课程的重要组成部分。关系框架理论将这种基于形式属性的反应描述为语言的基础。然而，研究表明，有发育障碍和语言迟缓的儿童可能不容易获得相同/不同的关系反应（Kent et al., 2017）。本研究采用并行多探针设计，考察了多元范例教学（MEI）对三名残疾学龄前儿童两种类型的说话者和听者非任意相同/不同关系反应的教学效果。结果表明，所有参与者在干预后对新刺激的相同/不同反应的准确性都有所提高。此外，我们的两名参与者在没有直接教学的情况下达到了非任意类比的掌握标准。这些发现增加了跨地形使用MEI来促进幼儿语言迟缓的关系反应的文献。
{"title":"Same or different: Teaching nonarbitrary relational responding to preschoolers with disabilities","authors":"Xiaoyuan Liu , Maithri Sivaraman , Kristina Chen , Elle Kirsten","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100978","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100978","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Identifying similarities and differences between stimuli is a foundational skill in early childhood and a critical component of preschool curricula. Relational Frame Theory describes such responding based on formal properties as being foundational to language. However, research indicates that children with developmental disabilities and language delays may not readily acquire same/different relational responding (Kent et al., 2017). This study employed a concurrent multiple-probe design to examine the effectiveness of Multiple Exemplar Instruction (MEI) in teaching nonarbitrary same/different relational responding across two types of speaker and listener responses to three preschoolers with disabilities. Results showed that all participants demonstrated increased accuracy in same/different responses to novel stimuli following the intervention. Furthermore, two of our participants met mastery criterion on nonarbitrary analogy without direct teaching. These findings add to the literature on using MEI across topographies to promote relational responding in young children with language delays.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100978"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-12DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100970
Pui Tik Yau , Andrew T. Gloster , Wai Tong Chien , Yuen Yu Chong
Parents of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) experience considerable caregiving stressors that can be related to parental psychological well-being, child behavioral adjustment, and family functioning. This cross-sectional study examined the interrelationships among parenting competence, parental psychological flexibility, and parental prosociality using network analysis to explore their mechanisms in relation to caregiving outcomes. Baseline data from 242 parents enrolled in a randomized clinical trial evaluating the Prosocial-oriented Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT) program were analyzed. Stepwise hierarchical regression analyses indicated that psychological flexibility (β = .32; P < .001), parenting competence (β = .32; P < .001), and parental prosociality (β = .17; P = .002) collectively explained 41.4 % of the variance in parental well-being. Parenting competence (β = −.36; P < .001) and parental prosociality (β = −.18; P = .003) accounted for 33.7 % of the variance in child internalizing and externalizing problems, while parental prosociality (β = .22; P < .001) and psychological flexibility (β = .21; P = .002) explained 23.7 % of the variance in child prosocial behavior. The network indicated that psychological flexibility processes, particularly the values and committed action, as the most central and influential nodes, serving as a pathway linking the relationships among all variables. These findings underscore the relevance of parenting competence and potentially trainable processes such as psychological flexibility and prosociality in relation to caregiving outcomes. Integrating these processes into therapeutic interventions may offer a promising approach; however, the findings are correlational and cross-sectional. Longitudinal and experimental research is needed to clarify temporal ordering and potential causal pathways and to refine intervention strategies.
有特殊卫生保健需要儿童的父母会经历相当大的照顾压力源，这些压力源可能与父母的心理健康、儿童的行为调整和家庭功能有关。本研究采用网络分析的方法，考察了父母教养能力、父母心理弹性和父母亲社会行为三者之间的相互关系，探讨了三者对照料结果的影响机制。本研究分析了242名参加亲社会取向接受和承诺治疗（PACT）项目随机临床试验的家长的基线数据。逐步层次回归分析表明，心理灵活性（β = 0.32; P < .001）、父母能力（β = 0.32; P < .001）和父母亲社会性（β = 0.17; P = .002）共同解释了父母幸福感方差的41.4%。父母能力（β = - 0.36; P < .001）和父母亲社会性（β = - 0.18; P = 0.003）解释了儿童内化和外化问题方差的33.7%，父母亲社会性（β = 0.22; P < .001）和心理灵活性（β = 0.21; P = 0.002）解释了儿童亲社会行为方差的23.7%。该网络表明，心理灵活性过程，特别是价值观和承诺的行动，是最核心和最具影响力的节点，是连接所有变量之间关系的途径。这些发现强调了养育能力和潜在的可训练过程（如心理灵活性和亲社会性）与照料结果的相关性。将这些过程整合到治疗干预中可能是一种有希望的方法；然而，研究结果是相关的和横向的。需要纵向和实验研究来澄清时间顺序和潜在的因果途径，并完善干预策略。
{"title":"Psychological flexibility, parental competence, and prosociality in caregivers of children with special health care needs: A network analysis of family functioning and child outcomes","authors":"Pui Tik Yau , Andrew T. Gloster , Wai Tong Chien , Yuen Yu Chong","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100970","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100970","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parents of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) experience considerable caregiving stressors that can be related to parental psychological well-being, child behavioral adjustment, and family functioning. This cross-sectional study examined the interrelationships among parenting competence, parental psychological flexibility, and parental prosociality using network analysis to explore their mechanisms in relation to caregiving outcomes. Baseline data from 242 parents enrolled in a randomized clinical trial evaluating the Prosocial-oriented Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT) program were analyzed. Stepwise hierarchical regression analyses indicated that psychological flexibility (β = .32; P < .001), parenting competence (β = .32; P < .001), and parental prosociality (β = .17; P = .002) collectively explained 41.4 % of the variance in parental well-being. Parenting competence (β = −.36; P < .001) and parental prosociality (β = −.18; P = .003) accounted for 33.7 % of the variance in child internalizing and externalizing problems, while parental prosociality (β = .22; P < .001) and psychological flexibility (β = .21; P = .002) explained 23.7 % of the variance in child prosocial behavior. The network indicated that psychological flexibility processes, particularly the values and committed action, as the most central and influential nodes, serving as a pathway linking the relationships among all variables. These findings underscore the relevance of parenting competence and potentially trainable processes such as psychological flexibility and prosociality in relation to caregiving outcomes. Integrating these processes into therapeutic interventions may offer a promising approach; however, the findings are correlational and cross-sectional. Longitudinal and experimental research is needed to clarify temporal ordering and potential causal pathways and to refine intervention strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100970"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100976
Ronald D. Rogge, Alexandra Garlock, Benjamin D. Rasmussen
This study used 2-wave longitudinal data to evaluate the Unified Flexibility & Mindfulness (UFM) model – a model serving as a conceptual bridge between the mindfulness and ACT literatures. A sample of 1242 adults living in the US (76 % female, 84 % White, 70 % heterosexual, M(age) = 50.7 years, SD = 18.3 years, 31 % with a bachelor's degree, 46 % with a graduate degree, 23 % with an associate's degree or less) completed two 30-min online surveys roughly one month apart. Results of network analyses run on change scores of the 14 behavioral repertoires of the UFM were supportive of the model. Proximal associations emerged tracing a possible adaptive mechanistic chain linking increases in engaging mindful lenses to promote awareness of difficult experiences (describing, observing, present moment awareness) to corresponding increases in flexible decentering of those difficult experiences (acceptance, self-as-context, defusion), to increases in value-driven behavior even in the midst of difficult experiences and setbacks (maintaining contact with values, committed action toward goals), to increases in well-being (life satisfaction, peace of mind, effective coping, subjective happiness). Proximal associations emerged outlining a possible maladaptive mechanistic chain linking increases in the use of an inattentive/distracted lens (lack of present moment awareness) to increases in defensively reacting to difficult experiences (experiential avoidance, fusion, self-as-content), to increases in aimless and haphazard behavior in the face of difficult experiences (losing touch with values, getting stuck in inaction), to decreases in well-being and increases in psychological distress (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, perceived stress). The results highlighted the processes of the two center stages of the UFM model (fusion, defusion, maintaining contact with values) as some of the most central and influential processes, suggesting that improvement on those processes would likely facilitate improvement on a number of nearby upstream and downstream processes. Implications are discussed.
{"title":"Charting behavioral cascades from difficult experiences to well-being or distress: Testing the unified flexibility & mindfulness model with network analyses of longitudinal change","authors":"Ronald D. Rogge, Alexandra Garlock, Benjamin D. Rasmussen","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study used 2-wave longitudinal data to evaluate the Unified Flexibility & Mindfulness (UFM) model – a model serving as a conceptual bridge between the mindfulness and ACT literatures. A sample of 1242 adults living in the US (76 % female, 84 % White, 70 % heterosexual, M(age) = 50.7 years, SD = 18.3 years, 31 % with a bachelor's degree, 46 % with a graduate degree, 23 % with an associate's degree or less) completed two 30-min online surveys roughly one month apart. Results of network analyses run on change scores of the 14 behavioral repertoires of the UFM were supportive of the model. Proximal associations emerged tracing a possible adaptive mechanistic chain linking increases in engaging mindful lenses to promote awareness of difficult experiences (describing, observing, present moment awareness) to corresponding increases in flexible decentering of those difficult experiences (acceptance, self-as-context, defusion), to increases in value-driven behavior even in the midst of difficult experiences and setbacks (maintaining contact with values, committed action toward goals), to increases in well-being (life satisfaction, peace of mind, effective coping, subjective happiness). Proximal associations emerged outlining a possible maladaptive mechanistic chain linking increases in the use of an inattentive/distracted lens (lack of present moment awareness) to increases in defensively reacting to difficult experiences (experiential avoidance, fusion, self-as-content), to increases in aimless and haphazard behavior in the face of difficult experiences (losing touch with values, getting stuck in inaction), to decreases in well-being and increases in psychological distress (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, perceived stress). The results highlighted the processes of the two center stages of the UFM model (fusion, defusion, maintaining contact with values) as some of the most central and influential processes, suggesting that improvement on those processes would likely facilitate improvement on a number of nearby upstream and downstream processes. Implications are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100976"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100960
Hongyi Lin , Qian Li , Fengyan Wang
Wisdom refers to a global psychological quality acquired through experience and practice, grounded in intelligence and knowledge, that integrates virtue (manifesting prosocial in virtuous motivation, means, and results toward the common good) and wit (synthesizing practical knowledge, intelligence, and strategic thinking for effective problem-solving). Despite the proliferation of approaches to foster human wisdom, a range of family-related measures (e.g., coparenting, which refers to the collaborative activities of all adults responsible for raising children) are still lacking. Drawing on family systems theory and the theory of wisdom that integrates virtue and wit, this study examined the longitudinal relationships between perceived coparenting and adolescent wisdom, as well as the serial mediating roles of peer attachment and psychological flexibility, across four waves (N = 510, 51.8 % boys; 3-month intervals). As expected, we found that both paternal and maternal coparenting behaviors were significantly directly related to adolescent wisdom 9 months later. Additionally, perceived coparenting was related to adolescent wisdom through the mediating effects of peer attachment and psychological flexibility and the sequential mediating effects of peer attachment and psychological flexibility. These findings expand our understanding of the theoretical mechanism underlying the relationship between perceived coparenting and adolescent wisdom. Moreover, future wisdom education or psychological counseling should consider the importance of peer factors and psychological flexibility.
{"title":"Longitudinal associations between perceived coparenting and Chinese adolescents’ wisdom: The role of peer attachment and psychological flexibility","authors":"Hongyi Lin , Qian Li , Fengyan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100960","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100960","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wisdom refers to a global psychological quality acquired through experience and practice, grounded in intelligence and knowledge, that integrates virtue (manifesting prosocial in virtuous motivation, means, and results toward the common good) and wit (synthesizing practical knowledge, intelligence, and strategic thinking for effective problem-solving). Despite the proliferation of approaches to foster human wisdom, a range of family-related measures (e.g., coparenting, which refers to the collaborative activities of all adults responsible for raising children) are still lacking. Drawing on family systems theory and the theory of wisdom that integrates virtue and wit, this study examined the longitudinal relationships between perceived coparenting and adolescent wisdom, as well as the serial mediating roles of peer attachment and psychological flexibility, across four waves (<em>N</em> = 510, 51.8 % boys; 3-month intervals). As expected, we found that both paternal and maternal coparenting behaviors were significantly directly related to adolescent wisdom 9 months later. Additionally, perceived coparenting was related to adolescent wisdom through the mediating effects of peer attachment and psychological flexibility and the sequential mediating effects of peer attachment and psychological flexibility. These findings expand our understanding of the theoretical mechanism underlying the relationship between perceived coparenting and adolescent wisdom. Moreover, future wisdom education or psychological counseling should consider the importance of peer factors and psychological flexibility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100960"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145580043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100973
Gary Byrne , Clara Sherlock
Previous reviews have found that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may be an effective intervention for children and young people (CYP) presenting with mental health difficulties. However the heterogeneity in treatment protocols and interventions limits interpretations. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an approach developed specifically for CYP; the Discoverer, Noticer, Advisor and Value (DNA-V) model. Databases were searched for studies using the DNA-V model across a number of treatment settings for a range of common mental health and academic difficulties faced by CYP. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. These were also assessed for quality and synthesized using a narrative summary. Outcomes on mental health findings were decidedly mixed. Results favoured DNA-V in addressing anxiety issues but limited evidence for its effectiveness in targeting low mood was reported. Tentative evidence suggests that the model may be of help for students facing academic related stressors. Limited evidence was found that DNA-V targeted specific psychological flexibility processes or changed psychological inflexibility. Despite the increased scope and potential use of DNA-V across many differing settings, findings from the current review are mixed in terms of the effectiveness of the approach for common mental health difficulties among CYP. Possible reasons for this, in addition to future suggestions are discussed.
{"title":"A systematic review of the use of Discoverer, Noticer, Advisor-Value (DNA-V) model for children and young people with mental health difficulties","authors":"Gary Byrne , Clara Sherlock","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100973","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100973","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Previous reviews have found that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may be an effective intervention for children and young people (CYP) presenting with mental health difficulties. However the heterogeneity in treatment protocols and interventions limits interpretations. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an approach developed specifically for CYP; the Discoverer, Noticer, Advisor and Value (DNA-V) model. Databases were searched for studies using the DNA-V model across a number of treatment settings for a range of common mental health and academic difficulties faced by CYP. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. These were also assessed for quality and synthesized using a narrative summary. Outcomes on mental health findings were decidedly mixed. Results favoured DNA-V in addressing anxiety issues but limited evidence for its effectiveness in targeting low mood was reported. Tentative evidence suggests that the model may be of help for students facing academic related stressors. Limited evidence was found that DNA-V targeted specific psychological flexibility processes or changed psychological inflexibility. Despite the increased scope and potential use of DNA-V across many differing settings, findings from the current review are mixed in terms of the effectiveness of the approach for common mental health difficulties among CYP. Possible reasons for this, in addition to future suggestions are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100973"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100974
Serena Thapar, Daniela Quesada, Bärbel Knäuper
<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy with demonstrated effectiveness across a range of mental health conditions. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and commercial developers have identified mobile health technologies as a promising avenue for expanding access to ACT. Despite the emergence of ACT-based smartphone apps, no studies have systematically evaluated their content, usability, and theoretical fidelity. The absence of standardized evaluation frameworks limits their clinical integration and the potential for iterative improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to systematically assess the features, functionality, theoretical congruence, and data privacy practices of publicly available, ACT-based mobile apps, designed for independent or adjunctive use, available in major app stores.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted in January 2025 using AppTweak to identify ACT-based apps in the Canadian Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Apps meeting the inclusion criteria were downloaded and assessed on either a Samsung Galaxy A15 (Android 14) or iPhone 13 (iOS 17.6.1). Eligible apps included those offering ACT content for independent use or recommended use alongside therapy, without requiring therapist facilitation. A custom assessment framework consisting of 49 criteria was developed by the research team to evaluate general characteristics, ACT fidelity, and technical quality. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) was used to assess usability. Data extraction and ratings were conducted independently by two reviewers. The results were reported as a narrative review using descriptive statistics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The initial search yielded 200 apps, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria and were systematically assessed. All apps addressed at least one ACT process, with all apps covering acceptance, present-moment awareness, and committed action to varying degrees. The average MARS score across the apps was 3.63, with app engagement rated the lowest across apps. Most relied heavily on text-based content and psychoeducation, journaling, and guided meditations, with limited use of highly interactive or visual modalities. While most apps offered an accessible privacy policy, fewer were transparent about third-party data sharing practices. Clinician involvement in app development was common. Importantly, no apps had published peer-reviewed evidence of effectiveness.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Publicly available smartphone apps show promise for delivering ACT-related content at scale, whether as standalone tools or companions to ongoing therapy, but vary widely in theoretical fidelity, user engagement, and transparency of privacy policies. Most apps lack scaffolding to support skill development across the ACT processes and do not leverage multimedia or interactive design to enhance expe
{"title":"Publicly available acceptance and commitment therapy mobile apps: Systematic search and assessment","authors":"Serena Thapar, Daniela Quesada, Bärbel Knäuper","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100974","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100974","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy with demonstrated effectiveness across a range of mental health conditions. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and commercial developers have identified mobile health technologies as a promising avenue for expanding access to ACT. Despite the emergence of ACT-based smartphone apps, no studies have systematically evaluated their content, usability, and theoretical fidelity. The absence of standardized evaluation frameworks limits their clinical integration and the potential for iterative improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to systematically assess the features, functionality, theoretical congruence, and data privacy practices of publicly available, ACT-based mobile apps, designed for independent or adjunctive use, available in major app stores.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted in January 2025 using AppTweak to identify ACT-based apps in the Canadian Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Apps meeting the inclusion criteria were downloaded and assessed on either a Samsung Galaxy A15 (Android 14) or iPhone 13 (iOS 17.6.1). Eligible apps included those offering ACT content for independent use or recommended use alongside therapy, without requiring therapist facilitation. A custom assessment framework consisting of 49 criteria was developed by the research team to evaluate general characteristics, ACT fidelity, and technical quality. The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) was used to assess usability. Data extraction and ratings were conducted independently by two reviewers. The results were reported as a narrative review using descriptive statistics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The initial search yielded 200 apps, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria and were systematically assessed. All apps addressed at least one ACT process, with all apps covering acceptance, present-moment awareness, and committed action to varying degrees. The average MARS score across the apps was 3.63, with app engagement rated the lowest across apps. Most relied heavily on text-based content and psychoeducation, journaling, and guided meditations, with limited use of highly interactive or visual modalities. While most apps offered an accessible privacy policy, fewer were transparent about third-party data sharing practices. Clinician involvement in app development was common. Importantly, no apps had published peer-reviewed evidence of effectiveness.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Publicly available smartphone apps show promise for delivering ACT-related content at scale, whether as standalone tools or companions to ongoing therapy, but vary widely in theoretical fidelity, user engagement, and transparency of privacy policies. Most apps lack scaffolding to support skill development across the ACT processes and do not leverage multimedia or interactive design to enhance expe","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100974"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100977
Maura Nevejans , Jamie Cummins , Jan De Houwer , Emiel Cracco , Jan R. Wiersema
Relational Frame Theory (RFT) proposes that a specific type of relational responding, namely “deictic” relating, is critically involved in perspective-taking and Theory of Mind (ToM). Therefore, it has been proposed that presumed ToM difficulties experienced by individuals with autism may be attributed to difficulties with deictic relating. However, rigorous studies testing whether altered deictic relating is associated with autism are lacking. To this end, we conducted two experiments (Nexp1 = 134, Nexp2 = 120) in which we tested the relationship between autism traits and performance on different types of relational responding, including deictic relating, in a general population sample. In Experiment 1, we investigated the relationship between autism traits and performance on eight types of relational responding via an improved version of the Relational Abilities Index (RAI). In Experiment 2, we adjusted the deictic relating scale to include stimulus functions more directly relevant to perspective-taking. Contrary to our predictions, deictic relating did not correlate significantly with autism traits. Moreover, none of the other RAI subscales correlated reliably with autism traits. These findings question the claims made by RFT about the relationship between autism and relational responding and warrant a reassessment of the accuracy of this position.
{"title":"(Deictic) relational responding is not related to autism traits in the general population","authors":"Maura Nevejans , Jamie Cummins , Jan De Houwer , Emiel Cracco , Jan R. Wiersema","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100977","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2026.100977","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Relational Frame Theory (RFT) proposes that a specific type of relational responding, namely “deictic” relating, is critically involved in perspective-taking and Theory of Mind (ToM). Therefore, it has been proposed that presumed ToM difficulties experienced by individuals with autism may be attributed to difficulties with deictic relating. However, rigorous studies testing whether altered deictic relating is associated with autism are lacking. To this end, we conducted two experiments (<em>N</em><sub>exp1</sub> = 134, <em>N</em><sub>exp2</sub> = 120) in which we tested the relationship between autism traits and performance on different types of relational responding, including deictic relating, in a general population sample. In Experiment 1, we investigated the relationship between autism traits and performance on eight types of relational responding via an improved version of the Relational Abilities Index (RAI). In Experiment 2, we adjusted the deictic relating scale to include stimulus functions more directly relevant to perspective-taking. Contrary to our predictions, deictic relating did not correlate significantly with autism traits. Moreover, none of the other RAI subscales correlated reliably with autism traits. These findings question the claims made by RFT about the relationship between autism and relational responding and warrant a reassessment of the accuracy of this position.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100977"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100961
Ty B. Aller , Heather H. Kelley , Korena S. Klimczak , Benjamin P. Covington , Michael E. Levin
Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) are scalable, accessible, and easily contextualized to the needs of autistic adults, making them a promising resource to help address common barriers to high quality mental health supports. The current preregistered study employs an open trial design and a mixed methods approach to assess the preliminary efficacy of a DMHI among N = 56 autistic adults. The co-created DMHI contains six sessions based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), in a skills-training context, aiming to improve subjective wellbeing and quality of life. We found that changes in subjective wellbeing were observed at post-test (4-weeks following baseline), but these changes were not maintained at follow-up (10-weeks following baseline). However, changes in quality of life were observed at post-test and maintained at follow-up. Changes were also observed in our secondary outcomes, including psychological distress and psychological flexibility, most of which were maintained at follow-up. The current study provides preliminary support for the efficacy of an ACT-based DMHI to improve subjective wellbeing and quality of life among autistic adults.
{"title":"A longitudinal pilot evaluation of valued living: An acceptance and commitment therapy-based digital mental health intervention for autistic adults","authors":"Ty B. Aller , Heather H. Kelley , Korena S. Klimczak , Benjamin P. Covington , Michael E. Levin","doi":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100961","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100961","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) are scalable, accessible, and easily contextualized to the needs of autistic adults, making them a promising resource to help address common barriers to high quality mental health supports. The current preregistered study employs an open trial design and a mixed methods approach to assess the preliminary efficacy of a DMHI among <em>N</em> = 56 autistic adults. The co-created DMHI contains six sessions based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), in a skills-training context, aiming to improve subjective wellbeing and quality of life. We found that changes in subjective wellbeing were observed at post-test (4-weeks following baseline), but these changes were not maintained at follow-up (10-weeks following baseline). However, changes in quality of life were observed at post-test and maintained at follow-up. Changes were also observed in our secondary outcomes, including psychological distress and psychological flexibility, most of which were maintained at follow-up. The current study provides preliminary support for the efficacy of an ACT-based DMHI to improve subjective wellbeing and quality of life among autistic adults.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47544,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science","volume":"39 ","pages":"Article 100961"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号