Raha Rostami - Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
Zahra Dasht Bozorgi - Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on the resiliency and alexithymia of the patients with Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD). Methods: The present research had a quasi-experimental design with pre-test post-test and a control group. The study population included all patients with SSD that referred to health care centers of Ahvaz City, in ۲۰۱۶. A total of ۳۰ patients were selected through convenience sampling method and randomized to the experimental and waiting group (each group ۱۵ persons). The experimental group received ACT sessions for ۷ weeks continuously (each session lasting ۹۰ minutes), and the control group was put on a waiting list. Groups completed the resiliency questionnaire and Toronto Alexithymia Scale in the pre-test and post-test. The obtained data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS V. ۲۱. Results: The findings show a significant difference between the average scores of resiliency (F=۲۱.۹۷) and alexithymia (F=۱۹.۷۹) of the experimental and control groups in the post-test stage. So, the method of group therapy based on acceptance and commitment significantly increased resiliency and decreased alexithymia of the patients with SSD (P<۰.۰۱). Conclusion: According to the results, therapists and clinical psychologists can use this method to increase resiliency and decrease alexithymia of the patients with SSD.

Acceptance and commitment therapy, Resiliency, Alexithymia, Somatic symptoms