The Effect of ACT ‐Based Psychoeducation on Hope, Resilience and Stress Levels in Individuals Experiencing Earthquake: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Earthquakes can lead to serious psychological consequences such as reduced resilience, loss of hope, and post‐traumatic stress. Effective interventions are needed to support the mental health of survivors. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)‐based psychoeducation in improving resilience and hope, and reducing post‐traumatic stress symptoms among earthquake survivors. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 participants (40 intervention, 40 control; 10 participants later withdrew) residing in container cities in southeastern Türkiye. Data were collected using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS), and PTSD Scale (PTSD‐S). The intervention group received ACT‐based group psychoeducation over 8 weeks; the control group received no intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post‐intervention, and at a 3‐month follow‐up. Results Pre‐test scores showed no significant differences between the groups ( p > 0.05). Post‐test and 3‐month follow‐up results indicated significantly higher resilience and hope levels, and lower PTSD symptoms in the intervention group ( p < 0.05). Within‐group analysis revealed consistent improvements across all variables for the intervention group. In the control group, a slight increase in resilience and a limited reduction in post‐traumatic stress symptoms were observed. The effects of the intervention were maintained at the 3‐month follow‐up; while hope levels remained stable ( p > 0.05), PTSD symptoms in the intervention group continued to decrease significantly ( p < 0.001). Resilience scores showed a decrease from post‐test to follow‐up ( p < 0.001); however, follow‐up resilience levels remained significantly higher than baseline levels ( p < 0.001). Discussion ACT‐based psychoeducation appears effective in promoting psychological resilience and hope while reducing trauma symptoms among disaster‐affected individuals. These findings support the use of structured ACT interventions in post‐disaster mental health care. İmplications ACT‐based psychoeducation can be effectively used by mental health professionals in disaster settings to enhance resilience and hope while reducing PTSD symptoms. Its structured group format makes it a practical and accessible intervention for post‐disaster mental health care. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06536205