The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Body Image Satisfaction, Self-Criticism, and Competitive Anxiety in Female Students of Physical Education Vocational Schools

Determining the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on body image satisfaction, self-criticism, and competitive anxiety among female students in physical education vocational schools.

This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial with a control group, parallel groups, assessor-blinded, and single-phase, involving 40 patients.

A semi-experimental study with pretest, posttest, a two-month follow-up, and a control group will be conducted on 40 female students from physical education vocational schools (selected through purposive sampling and random allocation). The experimental group will receive nine 90-minute sessions of group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The variables (body image satisfaction, self-criticism, competitive anxiety) will be assessed at three time points, with the assessor blinded to group allocation.

**Inclusion Criteria:** Satisfaction with research participation, no occurrence of stressful events such as the death of relatives or close friends within the past three months, age between 15 to 18 years old. **Exclusion Criteria:** Concurrent receipt of other psychological treatments, absence from more than two sessions.

Experimental Group (ACT): Nine weekly 90-minute sessions. Content: Training in acceptance skills, mindfulness, identifying values, and committed action to improve body satisfaction and reduce self-criticism and anxiety. Control Group: Will not receive any psychological intervention and will be placed on a waitlist.

Body image satisfaction; self-criticism; competitive anxiety.

A purposive sampling method will be used to select the statistical sample. Accordingly, 40 students who met the study's inclusion criteria and provided informed consent will be purposively selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group (20 participants per group). The randomization process will be conducted as follows: Each of the 40 participants will be assigned a unique identification code (from 1 to 40). Then, using random number generator software, each code will be allocated to either the "experimental" or "control" group. The final allocation list will be stored in sealed envelopes and will not be accessible to the interventionist researcher until the start of the intervention. This procedure is implemented to prevent allocation bias. Ultimately, each group will consist of 20 participants.

All data can be shared after the participants have been de-identified.

Access begins 6 months after final publication.

The general results and findings of this study will be accessible to the public, especially families, professionals in counseling and psychotherapy centers, the State Welfare Organization, the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, and other specialists in the field of mental health.

The data and documents of this study can be used for research, educational, and therapeutic development purposes related to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Access is subject to approval of the research proposal by the principal investigator and compliance with confidentiality regulations (including data anonymization and protection of participants' identities).

Correspondence email: a.ferdos1378@yahoo.com

Applicants seeking access to the data who are currently studying at the postgraduate level in one of the fields of psychology, clinical psychology, health psychology, counseling, educational sciences, and physical education, as well as therapists, psychology specialists, counselors at counseling and psychotherapy centers, nutritionists, and physicians related to the field of adolescent health, can obtain access to the anonymized data after submitting their written request and research proposal to the principal investigator's email address. Access to the data is contingent upon approval of the proposal by the research team and compliance with confidentiality regulations (including non-disclosure of participants' identities).