Intimate partner violence: psycho-physio-pathological sequelae for defining a holistic enriched treatment

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Public Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health issue disproportionately affecting women, leading to significant psychophysiological consequences.
• IPV can cause hormonal imbalances, neurotrophin alterations, emotional dysregulation, and cognitive impairments.
• Preclinical research indicates environmental enrichment stimulates neuroplasticity, aiding recovery from various health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a holistic intervention for intimate partner violence survivors.
• To integrate supportive housing with evidence-based psychotherapies for an enriched therapeutic approach.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical evidence on environmental enrichment and neuroplasticity.
• Analysis of current supportive housing interventions for IPV survivors.
• Conceptualization of a combined housing and psychotherapy model.

Main Results:

• Environmental enrichment demonstrates potential for neurobiological and psychological recovery.
• Supportive housing can provide a foundation for therapeutic interventions.
• Existing housing interventions may overlook crucial emotional support aspects.

Conclusions:

• A holistic intervention integrating supportive housing with evidence-based psychotherapies is proposed for IPV survivors.
• This enriched therapeutic approach aims to address both environmental and psychological needs, fostering comprehensive recovery.
• Further research is needed to validate the efficacy of this integrated model in clinical settings.