The effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on psychological distress and depression of married women victims of domestic violence

Being a victim of violence can cause psychological distress and depression in women. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on psychological distress and depression of married women victims due to domestic violence. A quasi-experimental research method was used with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. From the statistical population of women victims of domestic violence referring to the counseling centers of the 2nd district of Tehran, 30 people were selected by available sampling and randomly replaced in two groups of 15 people (emotional treatment and control). In order to collect information, the standard questionnaire for measuring violence against women (Haj-Yahia, 2001), psychological distress (Kessler et al., 2002), and depression (Beck, 1996) was used. The experimental group was subjected to emotion-focused therapy; The data were analyzed using covariance test. The results showed that emotion-oriented therapy has a significant effect on reducing distress and depression of married women who are victims of domestic violence (p<0.001). For improve of the psychological condition of married women who are victims of domestic violence, it is suggested to use an emotion-focused therapeutic approach.