The Effectiveness of a Group Counseling Program Based on Feminist Therapy Reducing Feelings of Guilt and Stigma of Battered Women

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a group counseling program based on feminist therapy in reducing feelings of guilt and stigma among battered women. Methods: The study sample included thirty battered women randomly assigned to one of two equal groups: an experimental group (number=15) that participated in the group counseling program and a control group (number=15) that did not participate in any intervention program. To achieve the aims of the study, the researchers gathered data from both study groups using measures of guilt and stigma in pre- and post-tests. They were also employed in the experimental group’s follow-up test. Results: The results of the accompanying variance analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the mean scores on the scale of guilt in the post-test, favoring the experimental group with an arithmetic mean of (2.096) and a standard deviation of (0.352), noting that the program’s effect size reached the value of (0.874%), and on the stigma scale in the post-test with an arithmetic mean of (2.249) and a standard deviation of (0.287), emphasizing that the program’s effect size has attained a value of (0.879%), indicating the program’s efficacy. The results of the post- and follow-up comparisons among the experimental group members revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in the measure of guilt between the average of the post-measurement, which was (2.10) and a standard deviation of (0.352), and the follow-up, which was (2.23) and a standard deviation of (0.348), and the absence of statistically significant differences between the mean of the post-measurement, which was (2.10) and a standard deviation of (0.348). Conclusions: Because of its success in reducing guilt and stigma among battered women, the program utilized in the current study within group counseling in counseling centers is needed for women’s service.