Evaluation of the Impact of a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Women in Domestic Violence Situations in Brazil

Abstract

Domestic violence against women constitutes a serious public health problem, which requires effective interventions for its prevention and treatment. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an intervention protocol, based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, for women in situations of domestic violence. The sample was composed of 11 women that were victims of psychological, physical, and/or sexual violence perpetrated by their partners. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and life satisfactions levels were evaluated before and after the 13 individual psychotherapy sessions. The intervention protocol consisted of psychoeducation techniques, cognitive restructuring, gradual exposure to traumatic memories, problem resolution and recurrence prevention. Results showed a significant reduction in depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. The life satisfaction levels also increased significantly after the intervention, however, PTSD symptoms remained stable. These results constitute initial evidence for the effectiveness of the intervention. In Brazil, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions for the treatment of this population, thus, this study contributes by presenting an evidence-based intervention that may be used to qualify the actions of the public mental health services.

Intimate Partner Violence: A Literature Review

“…Another recent study carried out in Brazil observed positive results with the implementation of cognitive-behavioral interventions in women victims of IPV. Thirteen sessions with a weekly frequency, which included, among others, psychoeducation, problem-solving, and cognitive restructuring, showed effectiveness in reducing women's anxiety and depression and increasing their life satisfaction [64]. Aside from individual or group interventions, one study carried in Ghana examined the utilization of community-based structures (i.e., police, health and welfare organizations, and religious leaders) to raise awareness to the problem of violence against women, to guide talks about gender equality, challenge social norms that endorse violence, provide counseling services to couples experiencing IPV, and create referral structures to help victims..…”

Terapia Cognitivo Conductual para mujeres que sufrieron violencia por su pareja íntima: Estudio de casos múltiplos

“…Las sesiones de exposición gradual a las memorias traumáticas fueron fundamentales para la integración y la resignificación de recuerdos que generaban reacciones emocionales intensas y negativas. Estas sesiones son fundamentales para la reducción de los síntomas de TEPT porque promueven percepción de control de recuerdos intrusivos y mejor regulación emocional (Bermann & Graff, 2015;Habigzang et al, 2018;Ortiz et al, 2011). Las últimas sesiones, buscaron promover el empoderamiento de las pacientes, pues muchas encontraban dificultades para tomar decisiones y resolver problemas de manera más autónoma.…”

“…Las estimativas apuntan que mujeres víctimas de violencia presentan seis veces más probabilidades de sufrir disturbios mentales y cinco veces más posibilidades de cometer suicido, que las mujeres que no pasaron por esa experiencia (Correi, Meneghel & Hirakata, 2014;OMS, 2014). Los tratamientos mentales asociados con la exposición a la violencia comúnmente citados en la literatura son los trastornos del humor, los trastornos de ansiedad, los trastornos relacionados con el estrés, los trastornos por uso de sustancias y los trastornos obsesivocompulsivo (Habigzang, Schneider, Frizzo, & Freitas, 2018;Jonas et al, 2014;Mozzambini, Ribeiro, Fuso, Fiks, & Mello, 2011;Ribeiro, Andreoli, Ferri, Prince, & Mari, 2009). Debido a las consecuencias resultantes de la violencia, se considera esa temática como un problema social y de salud pública, que abre espacio para el desarrollo de estrategias de prevención y atención a la salud, garantía de los derechos humanos y de seguridad de la mujer (Arruda da Silva et al, 2012;Lamoglia & Minayo, 2009;OMS, 2014).…”

Follow-up Evaluation of Psychotherapy Protocols for Women with a History of Intimate Partner Violence: Scoping Review

“…The experience of IPV is a risk factor for women's mental health, who, after suffering violence, tend to be more likely to develop depression, emotional regulation problems, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, and substance use disorders, as well as problems in physical, sexual, and reproductive health (Bacchus et al, 2018;WHO, 2019;Zancan & Habigzang, 2018). Due to the high rates of IPV, studies have sought to develop alternative interventions to mitigate the main psychological consequences that women can develop after the abusive experience (Habigzang et al, 2018;Matud et al, 2014). Many studies have presented positive results, such as decreased levels of depression and anxiety (Habigzang et al, 2018;Matud et al, 2014) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Matud et al, 2014), which highlight psychotherapy as an important resource for the health promotion of women with a history of IPV.…”