Acceptance and commitment therapy can reduce anxiety and enhance self-efficacy, mental toughness, and sleep quality in wrestlers with anxiety

چکیده مقاله

This study investigates the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in improving sleep quality and psychological well-being among wrestlers experiencing anxiety. A total of 33 wrestlers (mean age: 22.95) were randomly assigned to either an 8-week ACT intervention or a waitlist control group. Utilizing a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design, the study assessed key outcomes, including anxiety, self-efficacy, mental toughness, and sleep quality. The results revealed significant time and group interactions, with ACT demonstrating a substantial reduction in anxiety, an increase in self-efficacy, and a marked improvement in sleep quality. Although mental toughness showed overall improvement, the interaction effect was non-significant. These findings underscore the potential of ACT as a critical intervention within sports psychology, promoting psychological resilience and enhancing sleep among athletes facing anxiety. By addressing these aspects, ACT may lead to improved athletic performance and overall well-being, highlighting its importance in the field of sports psychology. © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/