Clinical Research Directory

The Role of Executive Functioning in Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

This project aims to investigate neuropsychological alterations in women with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and complex PTSD (CPTSD), survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), and to implement a cognitive stimulation program. The specific objectives are: * To establish the prevalence and severity of neuropsychological alterations in women victims of IPV and to define their profile according to the type of violence suffered. * To analyze the differences in neuropsychological alterations between PTSD and CPTSD. * To implement a cognitive stimulation program in women with CPTSD. * To evaluate whether this program reduces symptoms of DSO (Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified) and classic post-traumatic symptoms. * The hypotheses suggest that women victims of IPV will present lower scores in executive functions, attention, and memory, a higher prevalence of CPTSD, and that the cognitive stimulation program will improve complex post-traumatic sequelae. Methodology: Women victims of IPV attended at the CIMs of Andalusia will be randomly selected, with support from with support from the Andalusian Women Institute. Participants: 100 women victims of IPV and 100 non-victims. Inclusion criteria are literacy and, for IPV, having experienced partner violence. Those with a history of brain damage, previous psychopathological alterations, or diseases affecting cognition will be excluded. Evaluation: It will include sociodemographic surveys, violence assessment, psychopathological alterations, DSO symptoms, and neuropsychological assessments. Intervention: A cognitive stimulation program (VIRTRAEL/LUCCIDY) and a standard training (Reflection Group; TAU) in groups. Nine weekly sessions will be conducted, evaluating pre- and post-treatment and follow-up at 3 months.