The Effect of Values and Engagement with Values on Depression

Abstract

Within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, values and value-consistent living is at the core of the therapeutic process to foster a meaningful life and reduce suffering. This study aims at exploring the effect of awareness of values and engagement with values on depression. A total of 268 responses were investigated through an online questionnaire. The convenient sample included participants between the age of 18 and 85. The responses for the two questionnaires PHQ-9 and Psy-Flex were examined during this study. The relationships between awareness of values, engagement with values and depression were examined using Pearson correlations (2-tailed) and a multiple regression. Both the awareness of values and engagement with values showed a negative relationship with depression. Displaying the general trend that the higher the score in these items, the lower the depression score. The multiple regression revealed that both engagement with values and awareness of values were a significant predictor for depression. However, when the rest of the Psy-Flex items were added to the multiple regression, awareness of values was not significant anymore, whilst engagement with values remained significant. Suggesting the protective effect of engagement with values on depression. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four participants to explore the relationship between values and depression. Findings from this study have valuable clinical implications, such as including action steps with the patient’s goals focused on awareness and engagement with values within therapy. Further research is encouraged to be conducted to explore the effect that engagement with values could provide for therapy concerning depression.