The effectiveness of mindfulness as an intervention for women survivors of intimate partner violence

Date

2021-12

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common issue in the United States. It includes any act of physical, psychological, or sexual violence committed by one’s intimate partner. Although IPV is commonly perpetrated by both partners in a relationship, women are at increased risk for negative outcomes. These outcomes can include aspects of mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also include aspects of emotional and relational health, such as emotion dysregulation, locus of control, and trust. The survivor’s overall life satisfaction may also be impacted. The affect that IPV has on these aspects of women’s lives can lead them to be at risk for revictimization. Treatment for IPV survivors has stayed relatively stable. However, these methods of treatment often fail to address how IPV can impact the survivor’s current and future relationships, often leaving the survivor vulnerable to engaging in unhealthy relationship patterns. Treatment for women survivors of IPV could be improved to help decrease the negative outcomes commonly associated with IPV victimization and to improve their relationships. Mindfulness may be an approach that could effectively address these concerns. To examine this hypothesis, two studies were conducted. The first study assessed mindfulness as a moderator between IPV and the various outcomes listed previously. Path analyses were used to examine the relationship between these variables and the moderating effect of mindfulness. Simple slopes examination was also conducted to examine interactions. Results indicated that mindfulness moderated the relationship between IPV and locus of control, trust, and life satisfaction for women that had experienced specific types of violence and specific levels of violence frequency. Study II utilized a Small-N, AB design to implement mindfulness as an intervention for women survivors of IPV. Results were mixed, indicating that mindfulness may be an effective intervention for women survivors of IPV, but that certain contextual and clinical factors should be considered. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Description

Keywords

Intimate Partner Violence, Mindfulness, Intervention, Interpersonal Relationships

Citation