Effects of a Group-Based Intervention on Psychological Health and Perceived Parenting Capacity among Mothers Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This study evaluated a community-based treatment program in Sweden for mothers subjected to intimate partner violence. Results based on group means indicated that the mothers showed significantly reduced trauma and psychological symptoms and improved sense of coherence after participating in the program. Surprisingly, no improvement regarding perceived parental locus of control was found. Furthermore, as a complement to group statistics a reliable change index was used, which resulted in more modest results regarding the effectiveness of the treatment.

Keywords:

• Intimate partner violence
• intervention outcome
• community-based service
• clinical significance
• mothers