The effects of gestalt and cognitive-behavioral therapy group interventions on the assertiveness and self-esteem of women with physical disabilities facing abuse

The purpose of this study was to examine the differential effects of Gestalt and Cognitive-Behavioral group therapy interventions on assertiveness and self-esteem among women with physical disabilities facing abuse. The eleven women, who met the study criteria, were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions, Gestalt Therapy (GT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) group interventions. The Demographic Questionnaire (Adam Rita, 2009) documented personal characteristics of the participants. The criterion instruments were: a) RAS (Rathus, 1973), and b) CFSEI-2 (Form AD, Battle, 1992) measuring assertiveness and self-esteem respectively and were administered pre-and-post treatment. The research was conducted over a period of six weeks, totaling six weekly two-hour group sessions. It was hypothesized these interventions would help women with physical disabilities facing abuse increase their levels of assertiveness and self-esteem. To determine if the differences between groups were statistically significant for the two dependent variables, assertiveness and self-esteem, MANCOVAs within subjects contrasts and between subjects effects were examined. Based on these findings, neither Gestalt Therapy (GT) nor Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) group interventions produced statistically significant outcome effects on the dependent variables, assertiveness and self-esteem. The findings did not support the research hypotheses; therefore both null hypotheses were retained.