Treatments for Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important problem that has significant detrimental effects on the wellbeing of female victims. The chronic physical and psychological effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) are complex, long-lasting, chronic, and require treatments focusing on improving mental health issues, safety, and support. Various psycho-social intervention programs are being implemented to improve survivor wellbeing. However, little is known about the effectiveness of different treatments on IPV survivors' wellbeing. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of interventions on improving outcomes that describe the wellbeing of adult female survivors of IPV. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. We explored the effectiveness of available interventions on multiple outcomes that are critical for the wellbeing of adult female victims of IPV. To provide a broad and comprehensive view of survivors' wellbeing, we considered outcomes including mental health, physical health, diminishing further violence, social support, safety, self-efficacy, and quality of life. We reviewed 2,770 citations. Among these 25 randomized-controlled-study with a total of 4,683 participants met inclusion criteria. Findings of meta-analyses on interventions indicated promising results in improving anxiety [standardized mean difference (SMD) −7.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) −8.39 to −5.92], depression (SMD −0.26, CI −0.56 to −0.05), safety (SMD = 0.43, CI 0.4 to −0.83), violence prevention (SMD = −0.92, CI −1.66 to −0.17), health (SMD = 0.39, CI 0.12 to 0.66), self-esteem (SMD = 1.33, CI −0.73 to 3.39), social support (SMD =0.40, CI 0.20 to 0.61), and stress management (SMD = −8.94, CI −10.48 to −7.40) at the post-test. We found that empowerment plays a vital role, especially when treating depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which are difficult to improve across interventions. We found mixed findings on self-efficacy and quality of life. The effects of IPV are long-lasting and require treatments targeting co-morbid issues including improving safety and mental health issues.

Recovering from Intimate Partner Violence through Strengths and Empowerment (RISE): Initial Evaluation of the Clinical Effects of RISE Administered in Routine Care in the US Veterans Health Administration

“…Patients’ average general self-efficacy scores at pretreatment were slightly lower than typically seen in IPV intervention studies [ 69 ], but at posttreatment, most patients’ general self-efficacy scores were above national US norms on this measure [ 70 ]. This is promising as several prior IPV intervention studies have demonstrated limited improvements in self-efficacy [ 69 , 71 ]. Additionally, patients’ average score was in the moderate range of depression at pretreatment and most of the patients reported no depressive symptoms or mild symptoms at posttreatment [ 59 ].…”

Impactos psicológicos causados pela violência doméstica: Revisão integrativa de literatura

“…Em um estudo realizado por Karakurt (2022), foi constatado que a depressão e o Transtorno de Estresse pós traumático são os diagnósticos mais comuns em casos de mulheres vítimas de violência doméstica, seguido por ansiedade. Vítimas de violência doméstica, que desenvolveram transtornos mentais não psicóticos, podem não receber o tratamento adequado, retornando outras vezes ao serviço.…”

“…Os programas de tratamento variam em seus objetivos, estruturas e abordagem principal, bem como métodos de entrega, como abrigos de violência doméstica, agências comunitárias de saúde mental e hospitais. Esses programas se baseiam em uma infinidade de modelos de terapia, como terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC), mindfulness, entrevista motivacional e escrita expressiva (Karakurt, et al, 2022).…”

“…Revisar estudos de coorte para determinar a magnitude e a direção temporal da associação entre violência recente por parceiro íntimo (VPI) e uma série de resultados adversos à saúde ou comportamentos de risco à saúde. 14 PubMED Karakurt G, et al, 2022. Tratamento para Mulheres Vítimas de Violência por Parceiro Ípntimo:…”

Practical Implications of Research on Intimate Partner Violence Experiences for the Mental Health Clinician

“…A number of mental health concerns are associated with experiencing IPV, particularly PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse, and depression. These concerns often require treatment [91], which can be implemented with ongoing attention to physical and psychological safety. Particularly relevant to IPV are front-line trauma-focused PTSD psychotherapies, include cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing [113], as PTSD is among the most common conditions associated with IPV.…”