Freeing Chinese Abused Women From Stereotype: A Pretest-Posttest Comparison Study on Group Intervention in Refuge Centers

Efficacy of Psychosocial Interventions for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) face serious health-related, social and economic consequences. Prior meta-analyses indicate efficacy of psychosocial interventions for support of IPV survivors, but their results are affected by methodological limitations. Extensive subgroup analyses on the moderating effects of intervention and study characteristics are lacking. To address these limitations in an up-to-date and comprehensive meta-analytic review, four literature databases (PsycInfo, Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL, March 23, 2022) were searched for randomized-controlled trials examining the efficacy of psychosocial interventions compared to control groups in improving safety-related, mental health, and psychosocial outcomes in IPV survivors. Weighted effects on IPV, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychosocial outcomes were calculated under random-effects assumption. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate moderating effects of predefined intervention and study characteristics. Study quality was rated. In all, 80 studies were included in qualitative synthesis, and 40 studies in meta-analyses. Psychosocial interventions significantly reduced symptoms of depression (SMD: -0.15 [95% confidence interval, CI [-0.25, -0.04]; p = .006], I2 = 54%) and PTSD (SMD: -0.15 [95% CI [-0.29, -0.01]; p = .04], I2 = 52%), but not IPV reexperience (SMD: -0.02 [95% CI [ -0.09, 0.06]; p = .70], I2 = 21%) compared to control conditions at post. High-intensive and integrative interventions, combining advocacy-based and psychological components, were favorable subgroups. Yielded effects were modest and not maintained long term. The quality of evidence was low and potential harms remain unclear. Future research should adopt higher standards of research conduct and reporting and must account for the complexity and diversity of IPV experiences.

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

To investigate the methodological aspects, main results, and limitations of the follow-up evaluations of psychotherapeutic interventions for women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV). A search was carried out in the SciELO, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases, using the descriptors: (“clinical trial” OR “therapy” OR “psychotherapy” OR “psychological treatment”) AND (“violence” OR “mistreatment” OR “intimate partner violence” OR “domestic violence” OR “conjugal violence”) AND (“women”). 1480 articles were retrieved and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 articles composed the final sample. The majority of the follow-up assessments were carried out through the reapplication of the basic instruments, with the period of 3 months post-intervention being the most used. Sample losses were identified in all the studies analyzed. The limitations and difficulties were associated with the complexity of the target population. This review identified the importance of the follow-up evaluations and the need to adapt them to ensure the effectiveness of the interventions, aiming to reach a larger number of women, strengthen protective aspects, and prevent revictimization.