Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Psychological and Adventure-based Multicomponent Therapeutic Program for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: A Pilot Study

J Interpers Violence. 2023 Sep;38(17-18):9869-9897. doi: 10.1177/08862605231169761. Epub 2023 May 2.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health problem with different negative consequences for women's mental health. This pilot study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent intervention for battered women using a comparison group design to analyze improvement in self-esteem, self-concept, self-efficacy, body dissatisfaction, and depression. The intervention consisted of an eight-session multicomponent intervention program based on the combination of group psychological therapy and adventure activities. The study sample originally consisted of 34 women IPV victims. Self-report psychological assessment was conducted during the pre-test and post-test while interviews were conducted during the post-test among the experimental group. The results of this pilot study suggest the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioral multicomponent intervention on self-esteem, self-efficacy, and depression in the IPV victims from the experimental group. We conclude that these findings support the efficacy of this psychological intervention program. Practical implications and suggestions are also discussed.

Keywords: Adventure Therapy; Wilderness Therapy; group therapy; intimate partner violence; mixed method research; multicomponent program.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Battered Women* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence* / psychology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Self Report
  • Women's Health