RELACIONAMENTOS ABUSIVOS: DA COMPREENSÃO ÀS ESTRATÉGIAS DE INTERVENÇÃO

Abstract

Experiencing abusive relationships reflects in emotional, social and/or psychological consequences, making effective treatment necessary to those who experience such relationship. The present study aimed to understand the concept of abusive relationships by cognitive behavioral psychologists. As specific objectives, this work intended to identify the main characteristics, complaints and symptoms experienced in abusive relationships and the cognitive and behavioral interventions used. To this end, structured interviews were conducted with 14 psychologists who work in the light of cognitive behavioral therapy and who have worked with patients with a history of being in an abusive relationship. From the interviews, Bardin's Content Analysis was performed, in which four thematic axes were listed: conceptions of professional psychologists about abusive relationships; characteristics of relationships that represent the dynamics of an abusive relationship; complaints and symptoms identified in victims of abusive relationships and cognitive and behavioral interventions. Based on the results, it was possible to identify the concept of abusive relationship by the presence of the marker "violence", control being the most present characteristic, and anxious and depressive symptoms as the main complaint. Therefore, the interventions demonstrated to be focused on cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, and training of social skills of the victims. This study highlights the importance of the professionals' view on these elements, in the sense of founding an evidence-based practice.