ACBS VIRTUAL World Conference 24-27 June 2021 Thursday, 24 June (all times GMT/UTC +2) 1. Changing behaviour to solve environmental problems Plenary - Thursday, 24 June (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM) Components: Conceptual analysis, Literature review Categories: Changing pro-environmental behaviour, Educational settings, Changing environmental behaviour Target Audience: Beginner Linda Steg, University of Groningen Many environmental problems can be reduced when people would more consistently engage in sustainable behaviour. Many approaches to encourage sustainable behaviour target extrinsic motivation, by offering incentives that change personal costs and benefits of behaviour. Yet, such approaches may not always be as effective as assumed. I will discuss factors and strategies that can foster intrinsic motivation to act pro-environmentally. Intrinsically motivated people behave without being coerced or incentivised, even when pro-environmental behaviour is somewhat costly, as doing so is meaningful and makes them feel good. Educational Objectives: 1. Effectively communicate why acting pro-environmentally is important to encourage behavior change. 2. Explain why intrinsic motivation is an important predictor of pro-environmental action. 3. Explain how to foster intrinsic motivation. 2. Personalising digital health interventions applying N-of-1 methods. Invited - Thursday, 24 June (10:00 AM - 11:30 AM) Components: Case presentation, Didactic presentation Categories: Behavioral medicine, Clinical Interventions and Interests, Research methods, Digital health, Health psychology, N-of-1 Target Audience: Beginner Dominika Kwasnicka, M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., University of Melbourne Theories of behaviour change and health behaviour change interventions are usually tested in conventional between-participant designs. However, most of these theories and interventions ultimately focus on within-participant change. This mismatch is fundamentally problematic. Appreciation of this is fuelling the growing interest in N-of-1/within-participant methods in behavioural medicine, yet there is currently a shortage of opportunities to learn about within-participant approaches. The talk will include: (I) presentation of N-of-1 method (design overview, theory and basic principles); (II) introduction to observational N-of-1 studies and their practical application; (III) introduction to N-of-1 RCTs and their practical application; and (IV) general elaboration of key priorities (e.g., application, personalising behavioural interventions, data analysis, limitations of the design) and advantages and disadvantages of using this method. WHY SHALL I ATTEND? Knowledge of how to employ N-of-1 methods enables researchers to capitalise on the recent technology development to design behavioural studies and interventions which are tailored to each individual. Using unobtrusive data capture such as wearables and smartphone sensors, combined with Ecological Momentary Assessment, allows to develop truly personalised treatments. We are therefore at an opportune time to expand our use of within-person designs to better understand health behaviour and to deliver precision behaviour change interventions. Educational Objectives: 1. Define how N-of-1 methods (also known as single-patient N-of-1 studies) can be applied to identify predictors of behavioural outcomes. 2. Provide examples of practical personalised behaviour change interventions. 3. Prioritise types of behavioural issues most amenable to N-of-1 approaches. 3. Advances/innovations in telehealth: Technology-based ACT interventions for transdiagnostic behavioral health concerns: Hawai'i Chapter Sponsored Symposium - Thursday, 24 June (10:00 AM - 11:30 AM) Components: Case presentation, Original data Categories: Behavioral medicine, Clinical Interventions and Interests, Telehealth, ACT Target Audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Chair: Samuel Spencer, M.A., University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Discussant: Louise McHugh, Ph.D., University College Dublin Orla Moran, Ph.D., DkIT Joseph Lavelle, M.Sc., University College Dublin Greta Somaini, M.Sc., Royal Holloway University of London Past research has demonstrated the potential for flexible adaptation of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in terms of format and method of delivery. Technology-based ACT interventions are also growing exponentially, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic (Pierce et al., 2020). While technological advances allow us to reach more individuals, further research is needed to understand the specific adaptations and considerations needed to implement technology- based ACT. This symposium seeks to further this goal by exploring the processes of change and outcomes within technology-related ACT interventions and highlights specific considerations for adapting ACT for telehealth-related purposes. The first paper investigates the suitability of a digital ACT intervention for the improvement of self-management behaviors and psychological flexibility in a sample of cardiac patients. The second paper examines a brief telehealth ACT intervention for psychological issues related to irritable bowel disease (IBD). The third paper describes a series of case studies investigating process-based telehealth ACT for mental health concerns centered around experiential avoidance. The final paper examines a web-based ACT intervention for individuals with type 1 diabetes. • A Single Case Experimental Design to Evaluate a Digital ACT Intervention for Improving Self- Management Behaviors in Cardiac Patients Orla Moran, Dundalk Institute of Technology Oonagh Giggins, Dundalk Institute of Technology Suzanne Smith, Dundalk Institute of Technology Louise McHugh, University College Dublin Evelyn Gould, Harvard Medical School Julie Doyle, Dundalk Institute of Technology While limited research has been conducted with cardiac patients, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has consistently demonstrated positive outcomes in those with chronic health conditions. However, most empirical investigations conducted to date also involve in-person therapy, which can be difficult to access for those dealing with the demands of chronic disease. This research aims to develop and evaluate a digital ACT intervention to improve self-management behaviors and psychological flexibility in cardiac patients. The intervention is delivered via a digital health self-management platform over 6 weeks with once weekly live video sessions and involves a randomized-multiple baseline Single Case Experimental Design (SCED) with approximately 15 adults with cardiac disease. The Independent Variable for each participant will be pre- post intervention phase. Dependent variables will be daily self report measures of psychological flexibility, as well as objective measures of self-management and engagement with the app. Findings will be discussed in terms of how a digital ACT intervention can best meet the needs of cardiac patients. • A Single Case Experimental Design (SCED) evaluating a two-session telehealth Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for stress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Joseph Lavelle, University College Dublin Darragh Storran, Saint Vincent’s University Hospital Noemi De Dominicis, Saint Vincent’s University Hospital Ian Hussey, Ghent University Hugh E. Mulcahy, Saint Vincent’s University Hospital Louise McHugh, University College Dublin Despite evidence of a link between elevated stress and disease activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), few patients receive psychological interventions to reduce stress. However, brief telehealth interventions may be one avenue to address this treatment need. The current study employs a randomized multiple baseline design to analyze the effect of a two-session telehealth acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) protocol in the treatment of stress in patients with an IBD diagnosis. Fifteen adults diagnosed with an IBD and experiencing moderate to extreme Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale- 21 (DASS-21)-measured stress participated in the study. Participants reported daily stress and psychological flexibility via four single-item scales and completed 2- to 6-week baselines without showing improvement trends in stress. Following baseline stress measurement, participants received two sessions of ACT (lasting 90 minutes each and separated by seven to ten days) via a video conferencing platform. Results are presented for daily and standardized measures of stress and psychological flexibility. Results will be considered in the context of optimizing intervention delivery via telehealth and the Covid-19 pandemic. • Telehealth process-based ACT in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: A series of case studies examining engaged living and experiential avoidance as processes of change Samuel D. Spencer, M.A., University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Joanne Qina'au, M.A., University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Duckhyun Jo, M.A., University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Monet Meyer, M.A., University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Akihiko Masuda, Ph.D., University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has been conceptualized as a process-based, transdiagnostic approach to treatment that seeks to increase values-based, adaptive functioning (i.e., engaged living [EL]) and attenuate the impact of psychopathological repertoires of experiential avoidance (EA). The present study examined EL and EA as processes of change within a 10-week course of individually delivered process-based ACT. Participants included a university-based sample of three women (ages 20-54)