Application of acceptance and commitment-based interventions in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: An example of violence against women

Violence is a concept that has existed from past to present and whose definition/framework changes day by day. Nowadays, violence is accepted as a crime and in our age and handled in a multidimensional and holistic manner. The subject of this study is violence against women, which is in the category of interpersonal violence. In the current study, it was aimed to examine acceptance and commitment therapy-based intervention studies in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, specifically on violence against women. Accordingly, 5 female adults aged 18 and over with a history of interpersonal violence participated in the study. A pre-test before the study, a post-test after the study, and a follow-up test 1 month after the completion of the study were applied to the participants, thus trying to determine the effectiveness of the applications. Study data were collected using a demographic information form, Acceptance and Action Form II, White Bear Suppression Inventory, Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Scale-Self-Assessment Form, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Oriented Intervention Program. The data were analyzed with the SPSS 24 program on the basis of the study hypotheses. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses. According to the results of the analysis, it was observed that intervention studies based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder had a significant effect on reducing the trauma levels of the participants. LSD multiple comparison test was conducted to examine in which sub-dimensions the detected effect level was found. According to the LSD multiple comparison test results, it was observed that the participants' level of avoidance of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms decreased between the pre-test and post-test measurements, there were significant differences between the pre-test and follow-up measurements in terms of conscious suppression of unwanted thoughts, and the participants' psychological flexibility levels increased during and after the program process. . Finally, the findings were evaluated within the scope of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and previous studies; The limitations and strengths of the study are explained, and suggestions for future studies are presented.