ACT-Based Contextual Intervention in a Case of Intimate Partner Violence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5944/rdp.v36i131.44419Keywords:
violence against women, contextual therapies, behavioral, behavioural, experiential avoidance, valuesAbstract
Intimate partner violence is a persistent issue both in Spain and globally, resulting in psychological consequences for women affected by it. Among these repercussions, we can find difficulties associated with experiential avoidance, lack of connection with personal values, and a decline in quality of life. Contextual psychological interventions have been proposed as ideal for addressing such problems, yet the scientific literature regarding their application to intimate partner violence is limited, primarily focusing on group interventions. This text illustrates a non-manualized contextual intervention with a 39-year-old woman who is a victim of intimate partner violence. The findings indicate that the intervention was effective in reducing problematic behaviours linked to experiential avoidance and a lack of committed action to her values, thereby enhancing the woman's satisfaction across important areas of her life. This study provides evidence on the utility of contextual interventions for psychological issues related to intimate partner violence within public healthcare settings.
Downloads
References
Addis, M. E., Jacobson, N. S., & Martell, C. R. (2001). Depression in Context: Strategies for Guided Action.
Akbari, M., & Hayat, B. (2023). The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment-Based Therapy (ACT) on Pain and Quality of Life of Patients with Breast Cancer. Trends in Medical Sciences, 2. https://doi.org/10.5812/tms-135687
Ansara, D., & Hindin, M. (2011). Psychosocial Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence for Women and Men in Canada. Journal of interpersonal violence, 26, 1628-1645. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260510370600
A-Tjak, J., Davis, M., Morina, N., Powers, M., Smits, J., & Emmelkamp, P. (2015). A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Clinically Relevant Mental and Physical Health Problems. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84, 30-36. https://doi.org/10.1159/000365764
Barraca Mairal, J. (2014). Técnicas de exposición. En Técnicas de modificación de conducta: Una guía para su puesta en práctica (pp. 221-231). Editorial Síntesis. https://itacaformacion.es/i-biblioteca/tecnicas-de-modificacion-de-conducta/
Bean, R., Ong, C., Lee, J., & Twohig, M. (2017). Acceptance and commitment therapy and trauma: An empirical review. The Behavior Therapist, 40, 145-150.
Bell, K., & Naugle, A. (2008). Intimate partner violence theoretical considerations: Moving towards a contextual framework. Clinical psychology review, 28, 1096-1107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2008.03.003
Bentley, A., & Riutort-Mayol, G. (2023). The association between intimate partner violence type and mental health in migrant women living in Spain: Findings from a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1307841
Cantillo Marena, I., & Muslaco Mendoza, K. (2020). Programas de intervención cognitivo-conductual para mujeres víctimas de violencia de pareja: Una revisión sistemática [Corporación Universidad de la Costa]. https://hdl.handle.net/11323/7415
Domjan, M. (2010). Conducta provocada, habituación y sensibilización. En Principios de aprendizaje y conducta (Sexta edición, pp. 31-65). Cenage Learning.
Eastwood, F., & Godfrey, E. (2023). The efficacy, acceptability and safety of acceptance and commitment therapy for fibromyalgia – a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Pain. https://doi.org/10.1177/20494637231221451
Félix-Montes, L. C., Gavilán-Centeno, R., & Ríos-Cataño, C. (2020). Tratamiento psicológico en mujeres víctimas de violencia conyugal. Persona, 023(2), Article 023(2). https://doi.org/10.26439/persona2020.n023(2).4829
Fernández Velasco, M. del R. (2015). Estrés postraumático y violencia de pareja: Análisis de la eficacia de tratamientos psicológicos [Universidad Complutense de Madrid]. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/25655
Fuentes, J., García Leiva, P., & Casado, I. (2008). Violencia contra las mujeres en el ámbito doméstico: Consecuencias sobre la salud psicosocial. Anales de Psicología, 25.
Giovannetti, A., Poettgen, J., Anglada, E., Menendez, R., Hoyer, J., Giordano, A., Pakenham, K., Galán, I., & Solari, A. (2022). Cross-Country Adaptation of a Psychological Flexibility Measure: The Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063150
Hayes, S. C. (2002). Prólogo. En Terapia de aceptación y compromiso (ACT): Un tratamiento conductual orientado a los valores (pp. 15-17). Ediciones Pirámide.
Hayes, S. C. (2013). Sal de tu mente, entra en tu vida. Desclée De Brouwer.
Hayes, S. C., Barnes-Holmes, D., & Roche, B. (2001). Relational frame theory: A post-Skinnerian account of human language and cognition. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
Hayes, S. C., Barnes-Holmes, D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Contextual behavioral science: Creating a science more adequate to the challenge of the human condition. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 1(1-2), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2012.09.004
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change. Guilford Publications.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. G. (2014). Terapia De Aceptacion y compromiso: Proceso y práctica del cambio consciente (R. Á. Fernández, Trad.).
Hernández-Chávez, L. (2022). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and its Application in Women Living under a Situation of Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Basic and Applied Psychology Research, 4, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.29057/jbapr.v4i7.7742
Kanfer, F. H. (1970). Self-monitoring: Methodological limitations and clinical applications. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 35(2), 148-152. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0029874
Kohlenberg, R. J., & Tsai, M. (1991). Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: Creating Intense and Curative Therapeutic Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-70855-3
Ley 13/2007, de 26 de noviembre, de medidas de prevención y protección integral contra la violencia de género. Boletín Oficial del Estado, 38, de 13 de febrero de 2008. https://www.boe.es/eli/es-an/l/2007/11/26/13
Luciano, C. (2016). Evolución de ACT. Análisis y Modificación de Conducta, 42(165-66), Article 165-66. https://doi.org/10.33776/amc.v42i165-66.2791
Maero, F. (2022a). Capítulo 2: La evidencia de ACT. En Croquis: Una guía clínica de terapia de aceptación y compromiso (1a edición, pp. 37-43). Editorial Dunken.
Maero, F. (2022b). El contextualismo de Stephen C. Pepper: Una introducción y traducción. Revista Horacio, 3. https://grupoact.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Horacio-Vol.-3.-Contextualismo-Introduccion-y-traduccion.pdf
Maero, F. (2022c). Capítulo 19: Defusión. En Croquis: Una guía clínica de terapia de aceptación y compromiso (1a edición, pp. 291-314). Editorial Dunken.
Marco, M., Marcos, Y., & Quiles, M. (2018). Acceptance and commitment therapy for eating disorders: A pilot study with adolescent patients. 116, 18-31. https://doi.org/10.14635/IPSIC.2018.116.2
Matud, M., Padilla, V., Medina, L., & Fortes, D. (2016). Eficacia de un programa de intervención para mujeres maltratadas por su pareja. Terapia psicológica, 34, 199-208. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-48082016000300004
Organización de Naciones Unidas. (1993, diciembre 20). Declaración sobre la eliminación de la violencia contra la mujer. https://www.congreso.es/docu/docum/ddocum/dosieres/sleg/legislatura_12/spl_25/pdfs/15.pdf
Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2013). Estimaciones mundiales y regionales de la violencia contra la mujer – Resumen de orientación. Organización Mundial de la Salud. https://www.who.int/es/publications/i/item/WHO-RHR-HRP-13.06
Pérez Álvarez, M. (2014). Las terapias de tercera generación como terapias contextuales. Síntesis.
Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J. Y. y Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879-903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
Ramírez, E. S., Ruiz, F. J., Peña-Vargas, A., & Bernal, P. A. (2021). Empirical Investigation of the Verbal Cues Involved in Delivering Experiential Metaphors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20), Article 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010630
Ramírez-Cruz, J. C., Santana-Cárdenas, S., & Javier-Juárez, S. P. (2022). Intervenciones psicológicas para mujeres en situaciones de violencia de género: Una revisión paraguas. Uaricha, Revista de Psicología, 19, 29-40.
Reyes-Martín, S., Hernández-López, M., & Rodríguez-Valverde, M. (2021). Spanish adaptation of the Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes (CompACT). ACBS Annual World Conference 19. ACBS Annual World Conference 19, Poznań.
Romero Sabater, I. (2010). Intervención en Violencia de Género. Consideraciones en Torno al Tratamiento. Psychosocial Intervention, 19(2), 191-199. https://doi.org/10.5093/in2010v19n2a10
Ruiz García, A., Macías Morón, J. J., Ferro García, R., & Valero Aguayo, L. (2021). Spanish Validation of the “Life Snapshot Inventory”. International Journal of Psychological Research, 14(2), 9-17.
Ruiz Sánchez, J. J. (2021a). Fundamentos de las terapias conductuales contextuales. En Manual de Terapias Conductuales Contextuales: Una exposición crítica descriptiva (Segunda Edición, pp. 15-105). Psara Ediciones.
Ruiz Sánchez, J. J. (2021b). Fundamentos filosóficos: Conductismo radical y contextualismo funcional. En Manual de Terapias Conductuales Contextuales: Una exposición crítica descriptiva (Segunda Edición, pp. 15-34). Psara Ediciones.
Ruiz Sánchez, J. J. (2021c). Terapia de aceptación y compromiso. En Manual de Terapias Conductuales Contextuales: Una exposición crítica descriptiva (Segunda Edición, pp. 109-136). Psara Ediciones.
Ruiz Sánchez, J. J. (2021d). Terapias conductuales contextuales adaptadas a contextos públicos y masificados. Herramientas básicas. En Manual de Terapias Conductuales Contextuales: Una exposición crítica descriptiva (Segunda Edición, pp. 341-372). Psara Ediciones.
Sanabria-Mazo, J., Colomer-Carbonell, A., Borràs, X., Castaño, J., McCracken, L., Montero-Marin, J., Perez-Aranda, A., Edo, S., Sanz, A., Feliu-Soler, A., & Luciano, J. (2023). Efficacy of Videoconference Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Behavioral Activation Therapy for Depression (BATD) for Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) Plus Comorbid Depressive Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial (IMPACT Study). Journal of Pain, 24, 1522-1540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2023.04.008
Sandoz, E. K. (2014). Formulación de hipótesis: Escuchar con oídos, ver con ojos ACT. En Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso: Proceso y práctica del cambio consciente (Mindfulness) (pp. 161-216). Desclée De Brouwer.
Simões, G., & Silva, R. (2021). The emerging role of acceptance and commitment therapy as a way to treat trauma and stressor related disorders. BJPsych Open, 7, S290-S290. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.770
Spidel, A., Lecomte, T., Kealy, D., & Daigneault, I. (2017). Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychosis and trauma: Improvement in psychiatric symptoms, emotion regulation, and treatment compliance following a brief group intervention. Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice, 91. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12159
Stiglmayr, C., Stecher-Mohr, J., Wagner, T., Meissner, J., Spretz, D., Steffens, C., Roepke, S., Fydrich, T., Salbach, H., Schulze, J., & Renneberg, B. (2015). Effectiveness of dialectic behavioral therapy in routine outpatient care: The Berlin Borderline Study. Borderline personality disorder and emotion dysregulation, 1, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/2051-6673-1-20
Stubbs, A., & Szoeke, C. (2020). The Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on the Physical Health and Health-Related Behaviors of Women: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Trauma Violence & Abuse. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838020985541
Twohig, M. P., Hayes, S. C., & Masuda, A. (2006). Increasing Willingness to Experience Obsessions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Behavior Therapy, 37(1), 3-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2005.02.001
Vaca-Ferrer, R., Ferro-García, R., & Valero-Aguayo, L. (2020). Eficacia de un programa de intervención grupal con mujeres víctimas de violencia de género en el marco de las terapias contextuales. Anales de Psicología, 36(2), 189-199. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.36.2.396901
Valizadeh, H., & Ahmadi, V. (2022). Comparison of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment treatment on resilience and quality of life of women victims of domestic violence. Journal of Family Psychology, 8(2), 12-25. https://doi.org/10.52547/ijfp.2022.549042.1088
Vassileva, M., & Delpeuch, T. (2021). Frontline Response to High Impact Domestic Violence in Bulgaria (pp. 117-142). https://doi.org/10.18690/978-961-286-543-6.8
Wakefield, S., Roebuck, S., & Boyden, P. (2018). The evidence base of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in psychosis: A systematic review. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.07.001
Waltz, T., & Hayes, S. (2010). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. En Cognitives and behavioral theories in practice (pp. 148-192). Guilford Press.
Wegner, D. M., Schneider, D. J., Carter, S. R., & White, T. L. (1987). Paradoxical effects of thought suppression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53(1), 5-13. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.53.1.5
White, S. J., Sin, J., Sweeney, A., Salisbury, T., Wahlich, C., Montesinos Guevara, C. M., Gillard, S., Brett, E., Allwright, L., Iqbal, N., Khan, A., Perot, C., Marks, J., & Mantovani, N. (2024). Global Prevalence and Mental Health Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence Among Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 25(1), 494-511. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380231155529
Wilson, K. G., & Luciano Soriano, M. C. (2002). Terapia de aceptación y compromiso (ACT): Un tratamiento conductual orientado a los valores. Ediciones Pirámide. https://www.edicionespiramide.es/libro/psicologia/terapia-de-aceptacion-y-compromiso-act-kelly-g-wilson-9788436817195/
World Health Organization. (2016). Global plan of action to strengthen the role of the health system within a national multisectoral response to address interpersonal violence, in particular against women and girls, and against children. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789241511537
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Antonio Blanco Guerrero
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this journal accept the following conditions:
-
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication, with the work registered under the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC 4.0 International license. This license allows third parties to cite the text and use it without alteration and for non-commercial purposes, provided they credit the authorship of the work and its first publication in this journal.
-
Authors may enter into other independent and additional contractual agreements for the non-exclusive distribution of the version of the article published in this journal (e.g., including it in an institutional repository or publishing it in a book), provided they clearly indicate that the work was first published in this journal.
-
The views expressed in the articles are solely the responsibility of the authors and in no case do they reflect the opinions or scientific policies of the journal.
