Effectiveness of Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy Intervention for Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

The Effect of Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program on Psychosocial Well-Being of Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

This interventional study aims to examine the impact of the Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program on the psychosocial well-being of female victims of intimate partner violence.

The main questions to be answered are the following:

1. Is the Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program effective on the interpersonal problems of female victims of intimate partner violence?
2. Is the Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program effective on the mental well-being of female victims of intimate partner violence?

The study will include eight individual interviews using a variety of data collection forms.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Interpersonal Relations; Intimate Partner Violence (IPV); Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program

Detailed Description

World Health Organization, defines intimate partner violence as behaviours that cause physical, sexual or psychological harm in an intimate relationship. These behaviours include physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours. One in three women will experience violence from a partner at some point in their lifetime. A strong correlation has been identified between women's exposure to violence and their susceptibility to mental health issues. In instances of prolonged violence, women tend to exhibit a range of emotional responses, including feelings of insecurity, loss of control, guilt, low self-esteem, helplessness, and hopelessness.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited psychotherapy developed in the 1970s for the treatment of depression. It focuses on interpersonal relationships and social support systems. The primary focus of IPT is on the resolution of existing interpersonal conflicts. IPT is delivered to different clinical populations across the lifespan in a range of flexible formats, including individual, couple, group, telephone sessions, and web-based applications in a variety of settings and doses. It has been demonstrated to be an efficacious intervention for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder, particularly during the perinatal period. Despite the existence of numerous studies examining the impact of IPT across diverse populations, only one investigation has explored the efficacy of IPT in women who have experienced violence. In the aforementioned examination, no established treatment program for women victims of intimate partner violence has been identified in our country. Although intimate partner violence affects a significant proportion of the population, the paucity of studies focusing on interpersonal relationships in this context represents a gap in the existing literature.

Given the high prevalence of violence against women and the associated burden of physical, mental, social, and social problems, as well as the limitations of existing intervention programs designed to enhance the psychosocial well-being of women victims of intimate partner violence, it is imperative to develop novel intervention strategies that prioritize interpersonal relationships and aim to bolster the coping skills and social support systems of these individuals. In light of the aforementioned considerations, the objective of the present study is to examine the impact of an intervention program based on interpersonal relationship psychotherapy on the psychosocial well-being of women victims of intimate partner violence. This study will examine the psychosocial well-being, interpersonal problems and mental well-being levels of women victims of intimate partner violence.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Cennet Kara Özçalık; Phone Number: +9005078267597; Email: cennetkaraozcalik@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Asst. Prof.; Email: ozgesukut@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Istanbul, Turkey, 34381
    • Recruiting
    • Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing
    • Contact: Özge Sukut, Asst. Prof.; Email: ozgesukut@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Proficiency in the Turkish language, including the ability to speak and understand it.
• Exposure to any form of violence perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exposure to violence by an individual other than an intimate partner for the purpose of maintaining group homogeneity.
• Presence of sensory loss, including but not limited to hearing and vision.
• Physical injury and/or disability resulting from violence that precludes participation in the intervention program.
• Diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and other psychotic disorders.
• Presence of active self-destructive thoughts and/or plans.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: The Control Group; The control group will be left unaltered throughout the course of the study. In the event that participants are already undergoing medical and/or supportive care outside of the parameters of the study, they shall continue to receive such care according to standard protocols.
Experimental: The Initiative Group; Participants in this group will receive an Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program consisting of eight individual sessions.	Behavioral: Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program; The Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program is based on IPR and developed with reference to relevant literature and a previously published study (Cort et all., 2014). Subsequent to the development of the program, a series of expert opinions were obtained from seven specialists in the field. The Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy-Based Intervention Program is a 2.5-3 month program comprising eight individual sessions. The program is designed to be administered on a weekly basis, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. The participants in this group will receive an Interpersonal Relationship Psychotherapy Based Intervention Programme, which consists of eight individual sessions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scales (IIP-C)	The scale was developed by Alden and colleagues for the purpose of assessing interpersonal functioning in the context of personal stress and difficulties. The scale employs a 5-point Likert-type response format, comprising a total of 32 items that assess various domains of interpersonal functioning. The scale comprises eight subscales, each comprising four items. Higher scores on the total scale and its constituent subscales indicate elevated levels of interpersonal stress and the presence of specific interpersonal difficulties. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Akyunus and Gencoz (2016), and the total scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.86. The scale has been demonstrated to possess sufficient validity and reliability to be employed in research on interpersonal attitudes and behaviours in Turkey and in clinical applications.	The scale will be administered during the second individual interview of the intervention phase.
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS)	The scale was developed by Tennant and colleagues as a means of measuring the mental well-being levels of individuals. The scale employs a 5-point Likert scale, with a minimum score of 14 and a maximum score of 70. The scale is scored according to the following key: 1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=somewhat agree, 4=agree, 5=strongly agree. The scale comprises 14 items, with higher scores indicative of elevated levels of psychological well-being. The reliability of the scale was evaluated in studies conducted with individuals aged 16 and above. The Cronbach alpha coefficient for the scale was found to be 0.89. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.83. The Turkish reliability and validity study of the scale was conducted by Keldal (2015). The Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient of the Turkish version of the scale was found to be 0.92.	The scale will be administered during the second individual interview of the intervention phase.
Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scales (IIP-C)	The scale was developed by Alden and colleagues for the purpose of assessing interpersonal functioning in the context of personal stress and difficulties. The scale employs a 5-point Likert-type response format, comprising a total of 32 items that assess various domains of interpersonal functioning. The scale comprises eight subscales, each comprising four items. Higher scores on the total scale and its constituent subscales indicate elevated levels of interpersonal stress and the presence of specific interpersonal difficulties. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Akyunus and Gencoz (2016), and the total scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.86. The scale has been demonstrated to possess sufficient validity and reliability to be employed in research on interpersonal attitudes and behaviours in Turkey and in clinical applications.	The scale will be administered at the close of the eighth session.
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS)	The scale was developed by Tennant and colleagues as a means of measuring the mental well-being levels of individuals. The scale employs a 5-point Likert scale, with a minimum score of 14 and a maximum score of 70. The scale is scored according to the following key: 1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=somewhat agree, 4=agree, 5=strongly agree. The scale comprises 14 items, with higher scores indicative of elevated levels of psychological well-being. The reliability of the scale was evaluated in studies conducted with individuals aged 16 and above. The Cronbach alpha coefficient for the scale was found to be 0.89. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.83. The Turkish reliability and validity study of the scale was conducted by Keldal (2015). The Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient of the Turkish version of the scale was found to be 0.92.	The scale will be administered at the close of the eighth session.
Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scales (IIP-C)	The scale was developed by Alden and colleagues for the purpose of assessing interpersonal functioning in the context of personal stress and difficulties. The scale employs a 5-point Likert-type response format, comprising a total of 32 items that assess various domains of interpersonal functioning. The scale comprises eight subscales, each comprising four items. Higher scores on the total scale and its constituent subscales indicate elevated levels of interpersonal stress and the presence of specific interpersonal difficulties. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Akyunus and Gencoz (2016), and the total scale Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.86. The scale has been demonstrated to possess sufficient validity and reliability to be employed in research on interpersonal attitudes and behaviours in Turkey and in clinical applications.	The scale will be administered within the fourth week following the eighth session.
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS)	The scale was developed by Tennant and colleagues as a means of measuring the mental well-being levels of individuals. The scale employs a 5-point Likert scale, with a minimum score of 14 and a maximum score of 70. The scale is scored according to the following key: 1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=somewhat agree, 4=agree, 5=strongly agree. The scale comprises 14 items, with higher scores indicative of elevated levels of psychological well-being. The reliability of the scale was evaluated in studies conducted with individuals aged 16 and above. The Cronbach alpha coefficient for the scale was found to be 0.89. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the scale was found to be 0.83. The Turkish reliability and validity study of the scale was conducted by Keldal (2015). The Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient of the Turkish version of the scale was found to be 0.92.	The scale will be administered within the fourth week following the eighth session.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)	It is a self-report scale designed to assess vegetative, emotional, cognitive, and motivational symptoms of depression. The scale items are presented on a 4-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from "not at all" to "very much" (0-3). The scale comprises 21 items, and it has been suggested that a score of 17 or above may be indicative of above-normal depression. A study of the validity and reliability of the scale in a Turkish cultural context was conducted by Hisli (1989) with a sample of university students. The original version of the scale exhibited a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.92, while the Turkish version demonstrated a coefficient of 0.80.	in the second interview with the participant
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)	It is a self-report scale designed to assess vegetative, emotional, cognitive, and motivational symptoms of depression. The scale items are presented on a 4-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from "not at all" to "very much" (0-3). The scale comprises 21 items, and it has been suggested that a score of 17 or above may be indicative of above-normal depression. A study of the validity and reliability of the scale in a Turkish cultural context was conducted by Hisli (1989) with a sample of university students. The original version of the scale exhibited a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.92, while the Turkish version demonstrated a coefficient of 0.80.	end of session 8
Intervention Program Evaluation Form	In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program, the researcher employed a 5-point Likert-type scale (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = undecided, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree), based on self-report and aligned with the content of the intervention program. It is intended that each participant in the intervention group will complete the form at the post-test and follow-up test.	end of session 8
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)	It is a self-report scale designed to assess vegetative, emotional, cognitive, and motivational symptoms of depression. The scale items are presented on a 4-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from "not at all" to "very much" (0-3). The scale comprises 21 items, and it has been suggested that a score of 17 or above may be indicative of above-normal depression. A study of the validity and reliability of the scale in a Turkish cultural context was conducted by Hisli (1989) with a sample of university students. The original version of the scale exhibited a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.92, while the Turkish version demonstrated a coefficient of 0.80.	The scale will be administered within the fourth week following the eighth session.
Intervention Program Evaluation Form	In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program, the researcher employed a 5-point Likert-type scale (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = undecided, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree), based on self-report and aligned with the content of the intervention program. It is intended that each participant in the intervention group will complete the form at the post-test and follow-up test.	The scale will be administered within the fourth week following the eighth session.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Cennet Kara Özçalık, Istanbul Universty-Cerrahpaşa

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Ravitz P, Watson P, Lawson A, Constantino MJ, Bernecker S, Park J, Swartz HA. Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Scoping Review and Historical Perspective (1974-2017). Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2019 May/Jun;27(3):165-180. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000219.
• Ruiz-Perez I, Plazaola-Castano J. Intimate partner violence and mental health consequences in women attending family practice in Spain. Psychosom Med. 2005 Sep-Oct;67(5):791-7. doi: 10.1097/01.psy.0000181269.11979.cd.
• Mufson, L., Dorta, K.P., Moreau, D. and Weissman, M.M., 2004, Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents, 2nd ed., The Guilford Press, New York, ISBN-13: 978-1-59385-042-5.
• Cort, N. A., Cerulli, C., Poleshuck, E. L., Bellenger, K. M., Xia, Y., Tu, X., Mazzotta, C. M. and Talbot, N. L., 2014, Interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed women with histories of intimate partner violence, Psychological trauma: theory, research, practice, and policy, 6 (6), 700-707.
• Almis BH, Kutuk EK, Gumustas F, Celik M. Risk Factors for Domestic Violence in Women and Predictors of Development of Mental Disorders in These Women. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2018 Mar 19;55(1):67-72. doi: 10.29399/npa.19355. eCollection 2018 Mar.
• Almis BH, Gumustas F, Kutuk EK, 2020, Effects of Domestic Violence Against Women on Mental Health of Women and Children, Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 12 (2), 232-242. doi: 10.18863/pgy.567635
• Atar, A.O. & Aydın, P.C., 2019, Evidence for Efficacy of interpersonal psychotherapy, Interpersonal Relations Psychotherapy, In Aydın, N., Omay, O. (ed), Türkiye Clinics, Ankara, 1st ed., 12-18.
• Akyunus, M., & Gencoz, T., 2016, Psychometric properties of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scales short form: a reliability and validity study, Dusunen Adam The Journal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences, 29 (1), 36-48. DOI: 10.5350/DAJPN2016290104
• Alden LE, Wiggins JS, Pincus AL. Construction of circumplex scales for the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. J Pers Assess. 1990 Winter;55(3-4):521-36. doi: 10.1080/00223891.1990.9674088. No abstract available.
• Keldal, G., 2015, Turkish Version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale: A validity and reliability study, The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being, 3 (1), 103-115.
• Hisli, N., 1989, Validity and reliability of Beck Depression Inventory for university students, Journal of Psychology, 7 (23), 3-13.
• Turgut EO, Cam MO. The Effect of Tidal Model-Based Psychiatric Nursing Approach on the Resilience of Women Survivors of Violence. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2020 May;41(5):429-437. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2019.1672222. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Helpful Links

• World Health Organization (WHO), 2022, Intimate Partner Violence
• UN Women, 2021, Justice for women: High-level Group report

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 3, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 11, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 12, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): November 13, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 25, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Mental Health; Intimate Partner Violence; Interpersonal Psychotherapy; Interpersonal Relations; Psychological Well-Being
• Other Study ID Numbers: IstanbulUC-CKOzcalik-001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: The requisite legal and ethical permissions for the research were obtained on the condition that the data would not be shared with third parties.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No