Document Type : Original Article
Researchers
1
Shadi Zolfaghari, PhD Student in Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Ahmad Borjali, Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
3
Farideh Hosseinsabet, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
4
Mahdi Khanjani, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
Ministerial Ethics Committee
Introduction: Prolonged grief is a heterogeneous phenomenon, and individuals differ in terms of their clinical problems, the processes contributing to their persistence, and their responses to treatment. Therefore, developing a systematic framework for treatment personalization is necessary.
Objective: The present study aims to develop and validate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy based on the Extended Evolutionary Meta-Model and to examine its effects on psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and social disconnection among individuals experiencing prolonged grief.
Methods: The study will employ a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design comprising qualitative and quantitative components. In the qualitative component, data obtained from a systematic review and semi-structured interviews with therapists will be integrated using deductive qualitative content analysis to develop the treatment guide. In the quantitative component, six eligible adults will be selected through purposive sampling, and the intervention will be implemented using a single-case multiple-baseline design. The instruments used in this component will include the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory–Short Form (MPFI-24), the Self-Compassion subscale of the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales (CEAS), the Oxford Grief–Social Disconnection Scale (OG-SD), the Grief Impairment Scale (GIS), the Prolonged Grief Disorder-13-Revised (PG-13-R), and the relevant sections of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders–Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV).
Ethical Considerations: Informed consent, confidentiality of information, voluntary participation, the right to withdraw, screening for clinical risks, and referral of individuals requiring immediate services will be ensured.