The Process of Learning Mindfulness and Acceptance through the Use of a Mobile App Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Grounded Theory Analysis
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the process of how college student military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms learn mindfulness and acceptance through the use of a mobile app based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Twenty-three college student veterans with PTSD symptoms participated in the 4-week ACT mobile app-based intervention and took part in three weekly semi-structured interviews. Results of the grounded theory data analysis reveal the core category of Mindful Scaffolding, a process indicating how student veterans cope with the interruptions and intrusions associated with learning mindfulness and acceptance through the use of the ACT-based app. The grounded theory provides a foundational theoretical framework for increasing adherence with using mindfulness- and acceptance-based mobile app interventions for PTSD.
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Guidance on modifying sleep-affecting behaviors, such as limiting screen time before bed or reducing caffeine intake, supports anxiety reduction and promotes restorative sleep.
“Additionally, guidance on modifying sleep-affecting behaviors, such as limiting screen time before bed or reducing caffeine intake, further supports anxiety reduction and promotes restorative sleep [72].”
From Pre-Sleep Anxiety: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches in Clinical Practice. (2026) · cites this paper as [72]
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Characteristics and trends in acceptance and commitment therapy research: A bibliometric analysis
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“At the micro level, the specific principles of Marxist philosophy can also be used as the basis of mental health education and the starting point of self-awareness.(24) If self-consciousness has deviated, it will inevitably lead to an inferiority complex or complacency at the psychological level.”
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The Positive Effects of Water Immersion for Symptoms of PTSD in Veterans: A Mixed Methods Study
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“These findings are in line with previous findings of comparable studies using web apps with similar mindfulness techniques (Reyes, 2022; Webb et al., 2025).”
- Authors
- Reyes, A. T.
- Affiliations
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (US)
- Corresponding author
- Reyes, Andrew Thomas
- ORCID
- Reyes, Andrew Thomas
- Venue
- Issues in Mental Health Nursing
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2021-08-04
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 3-12
- ISSN
- 0161-2840 (ISSN-L)
- 1096-4673
- OpenAlex
- W3188703205
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 2.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Issues in Mental Health Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Zeta Kappa-at-Large Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International.
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Keywords
- mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, mobile app intervention, post-traumatic stress disorder, military veterans, medication adherence, digital mental health
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Veterans, Mobile Applications, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Grounded Theory
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