Body and Trauma: from comprehension to intervention in female victims of domestic violence

Abstract

Domestic violence is a traumatic context that is still prevalent in Portuguese intimate-partner relationships. Knowing that trauma survivors frequently show altered behavior patterns based on body experience and functionality, based on recent empirical models of embodiment of trauma, this thesis aims a multidimensional comprehension of these women bodily behaviors and evaluate the effects of a psychomotor intervention. Interoception, proprioception and body ownership will be the assessed variables for the first study, and body meaning throughout life, vitality and functionality of the body will be assessed on a second study by semi structured, individualized interviews. After analysis and comprehension of the previous results, we will develop a psychomotor individualized intervention program, aiming to decrease anxiety and post traumatic stress symptoms, to promote better emotional and body awareness, and develop emotional self-regulation skills. The effects of this intervention in the body and behavior of our participants will also be assessed through the Psychomotor Diagnostic instrument for patients with Post Traumatic Stress, accounting for the physical and mental arousal, emotional numbing, vitality, orientation and attention, empowerment and assertiveness, safety and trust, and impulsive and aggressive behavior.