The Association of Domestic Violence and Social Resources With Functioning in an Adult Trauma-Affected Sample Living in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq

The predictive association between social support, communal mastery, and response to culturally adapted cognitive processing therapy among Native American women

Though social support (SS) and communal mastery (CM) are resilience factors among American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN), they have not been examined as trauma treatment predictors in this at-risk group. This study evaluated whether SS and CM were associated with improved treatment response in a sample of 73 AIAN women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Participants received culturally adapted CPT and were assessed for PTSD, CM, and SS. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. SS predicted improved PTSD, β = -.16, SE = .05, p = .003, and mental health, β = .16, SE = .05, p = .005, but not physical health. CM predicted improved PTSD, β = -.93, SE = .34, p = .008; mental health, β = .90, SE = .36, p = .013; and physical health, β = .95, SE = .31, p = .003. In a combined model, SS predicted improvements in PTSD, β = -.15, SE = .04, p < .001, and mental health, β = .12, SE = .06, p = .037, whereas CM did not. CM predicted improved physical health, β = 1.04, SE = .33, p = .003, whereas SS did not. Results highlight the benefits of SS and CM in trauma treatment outcomes for AIAN women, consistent with prior work, and further underscore the differential role of SS versus CM on mental versus physical health. Future work should explore how orientation to close and communal-level relationships may inform the protective benefits of social resources among AIAN.

Mental health of women and children experiencing family violence in conflict settings: a mixed methods systematic review

BACKGROUND

Armed conflict has significant impacts on individuals and families living in conflict-affected settings globally. Scholars working to prevent violence within families have hypothesised that experiencing armed conflict leads to an increase in family violence and mental health problems. In this review, we assessed the prevalence of family violence in conflict settings, its association with the mental health of survivors, moderating factors, and the importance of gender relations.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies that assessed the prevalence of family violence and the association between family violence and mental health problems, within conflict settings (PROSPERO reference CRD42018114443).

RESULTS

We identified 2605 records, from which 174 full text articles were screened. Twenty-nine studies that reported family violence during or up to 10 years after conflict were eligible for inclusion. Twenty one studies were quantitative, measuring prevalence and association between family violence and mental health problems. The studies were generally of high quality and all reported high prevalence of violence. The prevalence of violence against women was mostly in the range of 30-40%, the highest reported prevalence of physical abuse being 78.9% in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For violence against children, over three-quarters had ever experienced violence, the highest prevalence being 95.6% in Sri Lanka. Associations were found with a number of mental health problems, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. The risk varied in different locations. Eight qualitative studies showed how men's experience of conflict, including financial stresses, contributes to their perpetration of family violence.

CONCLUSIONS

Family violence was common in conflict settings and was associated with mental health outcomes, but the studies were too heterogenous to determine whether prevalence or risk was greater than in non-conflict settings. The review highlights an urgent need for more robust data on perpetrators, forms of family violence, and mental health outcomes in conflict-affected settings in order to help understand the magnitude of the problem and identify potential solutions to address it.

Intimate partner violence against women: Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD-2)

INTRODUCTION

Intimate partner violence against women is one of the most common forms of violence. Different research fields are trying to understand the cycle of violence, such as the psychological field, to understand how these women's relational patterns and intrapsychic conflict function in the cycle of violence.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the operationalized psychodynamic diagnosis of women victims of domestic violence, exploring the severity and experience of violence, structural functions, dysfunctional interpersonal patterns, and intrapsychic conflicts.

METHOD

We conducted a cross-sectional quantitative study using the OPD-2 Clinical Interviews, which were recorded and transcribed. The sample was composed by 56 women victims of domestic violence, mean age 30.07 (SD = ±9.65). Reliability was satisfactory for judges interviews(k>0,6).

RESULTS

According to the OPD-2 evaluation, we found that the severity of the violence was associated with the intensity of women's subjective suffering. In the relational pattern, they stay in the relationship, leaving themselves vulnerable; perceive the partner as controlling, aggressive, offensive, and fear abandonment. As a defensive mechanism to relational discomfort and suffering victims anticipate the aggressor's desire, resulting in submissive behavior. The main psychic conflict was the "need for care versus self-sufficiency" (78.6%). And medium was the predominant structure level, in which they presented insecure internal objects, presenting difficulties in emotional regulation and perceiving reality in a distorted way. Hence, they do not recognize their limitations and needs. We found that 78.6% of the cases had some psychiatric disorder: MDD, PTSD.

CONCLUSION

This study provides empirical evidence on clinical observations on the psychological functioning of this population and the issues that make up the maintenance of domestic violence against women. The understanding of internalized patterns, structural functions, and motivational tensions are fundamental for the prevention of re-victimization and improving coping mechanisms, as well as promoting greater adherence to treatment.

Cycle of violence in women victims of domestic violence: Qualitative analysis of OPD 2 interview

INTRODUCTION

Domestic violence places woman as the victim and man as the aggressor in the family environment. There is limited consistent and clear information based on empirical evidence on the dynamic functioning of the victims.

OBJECTIVE

To further understand the psychodynamics of women in the cycle of violence taking into account the aspects of psychological trauma. It is transversal research design. The sample was composed of ten women victim of domestic violence. Data collection was based on the OPD-2 Clinical Interview. Content analysis was performed from categories created by a posteriori: (a) Previous history; (b) Behavioral aspects; (c) Emotional aspects; (d) Reason for being in the relationship; (e) Type of violence and explanation for the reason of violence; (f) Support network and daily activities; and (g) Clinical and legal referral.

RESULTS

Constant violence causes changes in the structural functioning and psychological conflict of the victims: difficulties in mentalization, instability in relationships, emotional dependence, abandonment of her own life for her partners, difficulty in having a sense of identity. Victims presented difficulties in making significant changes in daily life to break the cycle of violence.

CONCLUSION

The research sought to collaborate with more evidence on the subject, suggesting a reformulation on forms of encounter to break the cycle of violence.