Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Women Survivors of Acid Violence: Addressing Stigma, Control, and Coping

Abstract

Background: Acid violence is a severe form of gender-based aggression, leaving survivors with profound physical, psychological, and social consequences. This study explored the role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in reducing perceived stigma, improving locus of control (LOC), and enhancing coping strategies among female acid attack survivors. Methods: A single-group pre-post design was employed with five female participants recruited through purposive sampling. The intervention comprised eight weekly ACT sessions. Outcome measures included the Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire (PSQ), Locus of Control Scale, and Brief COPE Inventory. Results: Wilcoxon signed-rank tests revealed non-significant changes in PSQ, LOC, and coping strategies, attributable to the small sample size. However, trends indicated reductions in avoidant coping and improvements in problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. Case-wise analysis demonstrated individualized gains in psychological flexibility. Conclusion: ACT shows promise as a therapeutic approach for acid attack survivors by reducing experiential avoidance and fostering values-driven living. Larger studies are required to validate these findings.