Comparison of the Effectiveness of Forgiveness-based Schema Therapy, Spiritual Therapy and Emotion-based Therapy on Self-Compassion in Women Victims of Domestic Violence

Intimate partner abuse is a significant public health issue that is associated with some negative emotional responses (such as self-blame and shame), as well as mental health outcomes (such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of forgiveness-based schema therapy, spiritual therapy, and emotion-focused therapy on resilience and self-esteem in women who are victims of domestic violence.

The research method was experimental with pre-test and post-test design, and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all women who referred to the legal medicine of Isfahan city in 2022 and had a medical record of domestic violence, and 60 of them were selected as the target sample through purposive sampling. After selecting the eligible samples and randomly assigning them to experimental and control groups (each group comprising 15 individuals), the experimental groups received forgiveness-based therapy, spiritual therapy, and emotion-focused therapy, while the control group was placed on the waiting list for treatment. To collect data, the Haj-Yahia Domestic Violence Questionnaire (2002), and Neff Self-Compassion Questionnaire (2003) were used. The data was analyzed using repeated measurement analysis.

The results showed that all three therapeutic interventions, forgiveness-based schema therapy, spiritual therapy, and emotion-focused therapy, were effective in increasing self-compassion in women who are victims of domestic violence, and this effect continued over time. There was no significant difference between the effectiveness and sustainability of forgiveness-based schema therapy, spiritual therapy, and emotion-focused therapies in improving self-compassion in married women who are victims of domestic violence.

These therapeutic methods can be used to improve the mental health of married women who are victims of domestic violence and their use is recommended by counselors and psychologists.