Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Self-Care Behaviors and Internalized Shame in Women with Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in improving self-care behaviors and reducing internalized shame in women with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted using a pre-test–post-test design with a control group. The research population consisted of women diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder who referred to psychological service centers and clinics in Tehran during the spring of 2024. A total of 30 individuals were selected through purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy across ten 90-minute sessions, while the control group received no intervention. The research instruments included the Self-Care Behaviors Scale and the Internalized Shame Scale. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests, multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Findings: The results indicated that the groups did not differ significantly in terms of gender, age, and education level (p > .05). Moreover, compared to the control group, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly improved self-care behaviors and reduced internalized shame (p < .001). Conclusion: Based on the findings, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be considered an effective method for improving self-care behaviors and reducing internalized shame in women with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.