CBT is widely recognized as one of the most effective psychological methodologies in treating a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. In the context of gender-based violence, CBT has been applied to modify dysfunctional thoughts and impulsive emotional reactions that fuel violent behavior. Several studies have shown that working on erroneous thought patterns, such as justifying violence or distorted views of relationships, is essential to reduce aggression and prevent violent behavior.
Mindfulness, on the other hand, promotes self-awareness and emotional regulation, teaching individuals to live in the present and manage stress without resorting to violence. Various studies have shown that the mindfulness approach can help people recognize early signs of emotions such as anger and frustration, which can lead to violent behavior. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and self-compassion, improve conflict management and promote nonviolent communication, reducing aggression and susceptibility to control in interpersonal relationships.
Integrating CBT and mindfulness with art and literature opens up new possibilities for raising awareness and educating society on issues of gender-based violence. Art, in its broadest form, has the power to stimulate deep reflections on the dynamics of power, control and violence. Literature, in particular, allows for storytelling that explores the lived experiences of those affected by violence, providing a space for emotional processing and understanding of the psychological mechanisms that fuel violent behavior.
In my educational project, which grew out of my latest book of poetry, “Of Another Voice Will Be the Fear,” I use poetry to give voice to those who have experienced violence and to raise awareness about the suffering it entails. The combination of art and mindfulness creates a therapeutic path, which helps people explore their emotions and develop greater awareness about their reactions and dysfunctional behaviors, promoting inner change that can positively affect interpersonal relationships.
Modern research has highlighted the role of biological factors in susceptibility to violence. In particular, the meta-analysis on behavior disorders and gender-based violence has shown that the distribution of sexual characteristics and brain structure influence aggressive behavior differently between the sexes. Neuroscience studies have shown that although there are differences in how male and female brains respond to violence and emotional stimuli, there is no rigid “binary” between the two components. Another relevant aspect that emerges from the meta-analysis concerns sexual dysmorphism, that is, the biological and psychological differences between the sexes that influence violent behavior. Although differences are evident in terms of hormones, brain structure, and socialization, recent studies suggest that the existence of a mosaic of both male and female characteristics in both sexes can positively influence overcoming violent dynamics.
Gender-based violence cannot be reduced to a simple confrontation between an aggressive male and a passive female, but must be seen as a phenomenon that cuts across relational dynamics in all forms of expression of power and control. Research is beginning to consider gender fluidity and the importance of moving beyond the traditional binarism that has long characterized the understanding of violent behavior. One of the main concepts of CBT is that emotions and behaviors are often the result of dysfunctional thoughts. When a person justifies violence or has a distorted view of relationships (for example, believing that control or aggression is legitimate in an intimate relationship), these thoughts can lead to violent behavior. Incorrect thought patterns such as dichotomous thinking (all or nothing), generalization, and “catastrophizing,” when applied in relationship dynamics, can lead to a distorted view of partners and conflicts.
Recent studies have also shown how mindfulness (resulting from practices such as mindfulness) and the integration of male and female components in the psyche can reduce violence, as they promote self-acceptance and a more balanced view of one’s emotions and reactions. By integrating these practices, it is possible to break down mental barriers that cause people to remain anchored in rigid gender stereotypes and violent behaviors related to those stereotypes. The integrated approach between mindfulness, CBT and art encourages an understanding of how these differences are expressed in everyday life and how people can use mindfulness to explore and improve their behaviors, both as individuals and as members of a society.
In the course of my studies, I have had the opportunity to explore and deepen the link between erroneous thoughts and violent behavior. During presentations of my latest book, “Of Another Voice Will Be the Fear,” which accompanies my traveling educational project, I have had the opportunity to raise awareness about violence, using my experience and reflections as a tool to promote change. On these occasions, I often emphasize how crucial it is to understand dysfunctional thinking patterns, and how their awareness can play a crucial role in reducing aggression and preventing violent behavior. Finally, I strongly believe that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), combined with the transformative power of literature, has the ability to effectively intervene on the cognitive distortion that fuels violence.
The article Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness in combating violence comes from TheNewyorker.
