Assessing the Valuing Process in in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Review and Analysis of Current Measurement Tools

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is perhaps the most thoroughly conceptualized model among third wave therapies to date, applying mindfulness and acceptance processes, and commitment and behavior change processes to help clients move toward a more vital, values-consistent life. Within ACT, personal values provide the foundational framework of the therapeutic process and are considered necessary to facilitate behavioral movement toward this more vital, meaningful life. Thus, based on the proposed nature of the therapeutic work in ACT related to one's personal values as a core mechanism through targeted changes emerge, a thorough and consistent understanding of valuing and the related therapeutic process in ACT is necessary. More importantly, with this understanding it is essential that ways to accurately assess this process and its targeted changes to gauge the efficacy of ACT treatments and client progress are essential. However, to date, the development of measurement tools for this purpose has been limited and inconsistent in its targeted constructs. The current study therefore had two aims: (1) to collect in-depth, descriptive data from ACT experts as to the essential components of the valuing process and how best to assess this process both clinically and empirically and (2) systematically review and evaluate all existent measures designed to assess the valuing process or any of its essential components utilizing the thematic data generated from aim 1. We utilized a semi-structured interview format to collect feedback from 11 ACT experts in both clinical and empirical work relevant to three main informational targets (i.e. Understanding the Valuing Process; Current Assessment of the Valuing Process in ACT; Future Recommendations for Measures of the Valuing Process in ACT). We then conducted thematic analyses of experts' responses and eight core themes were identified. Utilizing the emerging thematic data, a systematic review of measurement tools designed to assess any or all essential components (i.e. Values Identification/Construction; Identification of Values Consistent Behaviors; Engagement in Values Consistent Behavior) of the valuing process was conducted. Included measures (n=10) were each evaluated on their construct validity and measurement design qualities using a synthesis of the qualitative feedback provided by ACT experts. While each measure possessed its own unique strengths, the results primarily highlight the widespread inadequacies, inconsistencies, and limited scope of measurement tools assessing the valuing process in ACT to date. No measurement tool to date fully assessed all core components identified by experts as essential to the valuing process and all measures were limited to broad, retrospective self-report. The current study sheds light on the critical need for improvement in developing measurement tools to assess the valuing process in ACT that are more clear, comprehensive and valid, as a true evaluation of the efficacy of this process as a therapeutic mechanism of change depends on it.M.S., Psychology -- Drexel University, 201