ACT-enhanced peer coaching for online ACT self-help: Feasibility and acceptability with college students

Objective: This secondary analysis examined the feasibility and acceptability of a novel peer coaching model designed to improve adherence to an online self-help program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), called ACT Guide. Participants: All participants (N = 152) and peer coaches were undergraduate students attending the same university. Methods: Participants were instructed to use ACT Guide for 10 wk and were randomly assigned to receive weekly peer coaching through either phone calls or text messaging. Results: We found our peer coaching model to be feasible for delivery via phone and text, however acceptability varied widely. Phone coaching performed significantly better than the text format. Conclusions: Our results support the feasibility of using peer coaching with a college student population, particularly when delivered through phone calls. However, peer coaching was only acceptable to a subset of students, potentially due to differences in level of need and individual preferences.