Analysis of Effectiveness of Individual and Group Trauma-Focused Interventions for Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Group psychological programs for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors would seem particularly useful since they contribute to interrupting women’s isolation and have cost-effectiveness advantage. This study aims to analyze whether the effectiveness of group interventions for female survivors of IPV is equivalent to that of the individual format. A cognitive-behavioral trauma-focused intervention program was applied in eight weekly sessions in Madrid (Spain) to IPV female survivors with significant posttraumatic symptoms that were randomly assigned to the individual (n = 25) or group (n = 28) intervention format. Measures of posttraumatic stress (Severity of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), self-esteem (Rosenberg’s Scale) and social support were analyzed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-months follow-ups. A total of 28.3% of women dropped out, without significant format differences. Intervention (both formats) had significant improvements with large effect sizes in posttraumatic stress (η2p = 0.56), depression (η2p = 0.45), anxiety (η2p = 0.41) and self-esteem (η2p = 0.26) that maintained in follow-ups (p < 0.001), without significant differences between formats. Both intervention formats had different evolutions for depression and anxiety (p < 0.05), with better effects in the individual format at the first post-test measurements, but the differences tended to disappear over time. Intervention was effective in improving social support, with no significant differences between formats. All in all, both formats showed similar effectiveness. The group format could be an alternative when applying psychological interventions for female IPV survivors, since it would maintain good cost-effectiveness balance, mainly in the long-term.

Effect of adding a positive memories’ module in a trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural treatment for female survivors of intimate partner violence: trial protocol

“…As mentioned, the CBT to be used is based on the intervention protocol for women who have survived IPV with posttraumatic symptoms developed by the Labrador group and whose efficacy for the reduction of posttraumatic and associated symptoms has already been evaluated across various studies that have examined the following aspects: the effect of the order of the components (cognitive re-evaluation and exposure) [ 33 ], the effect of the inclusion or exclusion of the exposure technique [ 34 ], individual application vs. group [ 35 , 36 ] and the application to immigrant women [ 37 ].…”

The Effectiveness of Forgiveness Meditation Intervention in the Group of Emerging Adult Students

“…Some studies on forgiveness interventions generally use group settings in their interventions. A study on women who experienced intimate partner violence showed that group intervention proved to be as effective as individual intervention and was considered more efficient and able to overcome waiting time limitations for individuals who have not been able to access individual psychological interventions (Crespo et al, 2021). A systematic review of 19 studies on the effectiveness of group interventions or those involving social participation resulted in an increase in social networks, individual resources, and reduced isolation, thereby supporting recovery from mental health problems (Webber & Fendt-Newlin, 2017).…”

Intimate partner violence: psycho-physio-pathological sequelae for defining a holistic enriched treatment

“…Given the complexity of trauma, evidence-based psychotherapy with proven efficacy and effectiveness (Berg, 2019) is recommended. Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) and interpersonal therapies that were specifically tailored to IPV survivors, such as trauma-focused therapy, help decreased posttraumatic, depressive, and anxiety symptoms (Crespo and Arinero, 2010;Crespo et al, 2021).…”