Psychological Flexibility from the Perspective of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Protective Factor Against Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a Sample of Women Affected by Domestic Violence

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the context of psychological flexibility, from the perspective of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), acts as a protective factor against Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 10 women affected by domestic violence.

To achieve our research aim, we used a clinical approach. To verify the results, we administered the PCLS test, which measures PTSD symptoms, and developed a psychological flexibility scale from the perspective of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

The results indicated a high level of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and a corresponding decrease in psychological flexibility, indicating psychological rigidity. This was confirmed by clinical analysis of 9 out of 10 cases who had experienced violence in their family environment. These individuals showed symptoms of re-experiencing through integration contexts, experiential avoidance, and rumination about the past and future fears. They also showed symptoms of avoidance and related experiential avoidance contexts, lack of value clarity, and lack of commitment to action. Finally, they displayed symptoms of hyperarousal resulting from lack of present-moment awareness and fusion with false and negative thoughts.