Live with your body – participants’ reflections on an acceptance and commitment therapy group intervention for patients with residual eating disorder symptoms

Abstract

Abstract Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a transdiagnostic approach to human suffering that has been trialed in a range of different contexts. This study aimed to examine participants´ view of helpful and hindering aspects of an in person ACT group intervention targeting body image in patients with residual eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Thirteen women who completed the intervention were interviewed, and transcripts were analyzed through thematic analysis. Nine themes were identified and sorted into three main themes. The first main theme, Taking the plunge”, pointed to the importance of participants own effort, and included subthemes of self-efficacy, self as description, and self-exploration. The second main theme, “A push towards valued ends”, indicated that content of the intervention was helpful, and included subthemes of commitment and behavioral change processes, mindfulness and acceptance processes, and assignments in and between sessions. The third main theme, “The context matters”, described the importance of the contexts of the intervention and life outside of treatment, and included subthemes of the group format, the context outside of treatment, and the timing of the intervention. Through the description of specific content, we conclude that ACT seems to help women with residual ED symptoms and body image issues by fostering motivation to engage in avoided situations and behaviors while striving to live a more valued life.