Prevention of Re-Experiencing Abusive Relationships: Development and Effectiveness of a Transdiagnostic Intervention Package—A Pilot Study

Zinat Sadat Mirpour; Kosar Shafiei  Rezvani Nejad

doi:10.18502/ijps.v20i3.19042

Zinat Sadat Mirpour Department of Psychology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
Kosar Shafiei Rezvani Nejad Department of Psychology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v20i3.19042

Keywords: Dating Violence; Domestic Violence; Intimate Partner Abuse; Spouse Abuse; Transdiagnostic Therapy

Abstract

Objective: Re-experiencing abusive relationships is a distressing phenomenon, particularly among individuals with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a factor-based transdiagnostic package to prevent the re-experiencing of abusive relationships in Iran during 2020.

Method: This study was conducted in two phases. The qualitative phase involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews with seven experts and twelve patients from psychological clinics in Rasht, analyzed through content analysis. The quantitative phase utilized a semi-experimental design incorporating pre-test and post-test assessments with a control group. The population consisted of individuals referred to ten psychological clinics and three university counseling centers from 2018 to 2020. Out of 36 volunteers, 24 met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned into two groups of twelve. The intervention consisted of individual therapy sessions conducted bi-weekly over 16 sessions. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to assess tendencies to re-experience abusive relationships in the quantitative phase.

Results: Qualitative analysis of expert interviews identified five key components essential for effective treatment of abusive relationship survivors: (1) the content of the sessions, emphasizing contextual and cognitive approaches alongside psycho-education, values clarification, and commitment to change (2) process factors, including a strong therapeutic relationship, client motivation, and giving hope; (3) the structure of the sessions, highlighting flexible frequency, continuity, and follow-up; (4) the characteristics of the therapist, such as expertise, self-awareness, and persistence; and (5) client-related factors like education, environmental stressors, and abuse history. In the quantitative phase, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that the transdiagnostic therapy effectively prevented the re-experiencing of abusive relationships (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: This finding highlights the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in reducing the recurrence of abusive relationships, indicating that factor-based transdiagnostic therapy may offer a promising approach to mitigating the risk of re-experiencing such relationships.