Graduation Year
2027
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor in Psychology (Psy. D.)
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) constitutes a significant public health concern, adversely impacting women’s physical health, psychological functioning, and narrative identity. While existing group interventions, such as The Power to Change manual, provide structured psychoeducational and empowerment-based programming, few adequately address the disruptions to identity and meaning-making processes that often accompany experiences of abuse. The present doctoral specialty project proposes the development of a manualized group intervention for adult women impacted by IPV, grounded in the theoretical and clinical principles of narrative therapy. Narrative therapy conceptualizes identity as an evolving life story shaped by sociocultural and political contexts, and its techniques, including externalizing, deconstructing, re-authoring, and re-membering. These stages are uniquely suited to restoring and/or building upon agency and self-continuity following interpersonal trauma. The proposed intervention incorporates structured group procedures designed to promote empowerment and connection, while also employing standardized measures, including the Partner Violence Screen (PVS), the Narrative Identity Self-Evaluation Scale (NISE), and the Psychological Wellbeing Scale (PWB), to assess participant eligibility and outcomes. This project aims to contribute to the literature by integrating manualized structure with narrative therapeutic practices, thereby providing a replicable framework to support survivors in reclaiming their voices, reconstructing identity, and enhancing psychological wellbeing. Implications for clinical practice, program development, and additional resources are provided and discussed.
Faculty Mentor
Theresa Botts, Ph.D.
Department Affiliation
Psychology
Committee Member
Melinda Moore, Ph.D.
Department Affiliation
Psychology
Committee Member
Dr. Joshua Turner, Ph.D.
Department Affiliation
Psychology
Copyright
2026 Marisa E. Busquets
Recommended Citation
Busquets, Marisa E., "Telling Her Story, Reclaiming Her Power: A Narrative-Based Group Intervention for Women Impacted by Intimate Partner Violence" (2027). Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects. 69.
https://encompass.eku.edu/psych_doctorals/69
