Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention in a patient with feelings of guilt derived from gender violence

A clinical case

Abstract

Violence against women represents a worldwide problem that affects the physical and psychological integrity of the person who suffers it. One of the frequent problems in women who experience violence in addition to fear and anxiety are thoughts of guilt. The objective of this clinical case is to describe the effects of a brief Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention on the guilt derived from physical aggression suffered by a young woman from Mexico City. The intervention consisted of seven sessions in which techniques such as psychoeducation, deep diaphragmatic breathing, cognitive distraction, and behavioral experiments were used. Clinical changes were assessed with the Mood State Assessment Scale (EVEA), the Scale to measure feelings of guilt (SC-35), and weekly self-records of the frequency and intensity of the response. The results reveal clinical changes in the EVEA (pre=75%, post=90%) and in the SC-35 (pre=115, post=64). These changes were maintained at a one-month follow-up. It is concluded that the intervention was clinically significant for the patient, allowing to reduce the perceived discomfort, however, it is suggested to include a gender perspective and psychoeducational processes for the identification of other dimensions of violence in the approach of this type of case