Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Positive Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling on Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is an aggressive behavior, including different dimensions of physical, psychological, harmful, economic, and sexual health and is considered to be a health priority owing to its significant side effects on women. This study aims to investigate the effect of cognitive-behavioral group counseling with a positive approach on domestic violence and quality of life in order to identify and control the negative thoughts of violent women.

The present study is a three-blind randomized controlled trial study conducted on women in 2017 who experienced violence referring to health and treatment centers in Shahrud city, Iran. In order to collect information, the conflict resolution tactics questionnaire (to measure the experience and acts of violence) and the quality of life questionnaire were employed in the intervention and control groups. The intervention group underwent eight sessions of positive behavioral cognitive training and the control group received eight sessions of women's health training. The level of experience and the acts of violence in two groups were evaluated in the intervals before, immediately, three and six months after the intervention. To analyze the data, independent t-analysis and repeated measurement were utilized.

The average total score of violence before counseling in the intervention group declined from 145.9 to 14.3 after the intervention (P=0.001), and in the control group it decreased from 102.5 to 45 in the control group (P=0.001). This difference was observed in all subscales of violence. Meanwhile, a significant increase in quality of life scores was observed after the intervention compared to the control group.

Positive behavioral cognitive training would be influential in decreasing violence, as well as improving mental health level and quality of women’s life subjected to violence and it can enhance their quality of life.