Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Lower Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Survivors of Domestic Violence
Vincent Eddy Kuncoro Hartono, Nida Ul Hasanat
Gadjah Mada Journal of Professional Psychology (GamaJPP) March 30, 2026 DOI: 10.22146/gamajpp.92991 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA mindfulness-based intervention program, adapted from Brief Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Distress Management Training, significantly lowered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) levels in seven female survivors of domestic violence. The program included six meetings over three weeks with practices such as breathing meditation, body-scan meditation, loving-kindness meditation, sitting meditation, walking meditation, eating meditation, and mindful yoga. PTSD was measured using the Impact of Event Scale - Revised, and scores for intrusion, avoidance, and hypervigilance all decreased. The reduction was statistically significant, suggesting the intervention can help alleviate PTSD symptoms in this population.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 7 |
| Population | Female domestic violence survivors |
| Duration | Six meetings over three weeks |
| Topics | Anxiety PTSD |
| Keywords | Intervention counseling Domestic violence Distress Hypervigilance Poison control |
| Key finding | The mindfulness-based intervention significantly lowered PTSD levels in domestic violence survivors, as indicated by a significant reduction in intrusion, avoidance, and hypervigilance scores. |
Abstract
This study aimed to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) levels in survivors of domestic violence (DV) through a mindfulness-based intervention program modified from Brief Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (BMBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Distress Management Training. Seven female DV survivors were involved in the program, which consisted of six meetings over three weeks. The participants practiced breathing meditation, body-scan meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and sitting meditation. They also performed walking meditation, eating meditation, and mindful yoga. The study used a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design, and the author measured the participants' PTSD using the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R). The results of analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test showed a significant difference in PTSD scores, with a Z value of -2.366 (p< .05), which indicates that the mindfulness-based intervention used in this study can significantly lower PTSD in domestic violence survivors. Participants experienced a reduction in intrusion (recurrence of traumatic events), avoidance (avoidance of stimuli), and hypervigilance (excessive response to stimuli).