VORTRAG: Effects of Dance Movement Therapy Interventions on Female Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence in Taiwan
Juo-Lan Kuo
Background: Sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) show high global prevalence, and survivors experience long-term effects such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, reduced body image, and lower quality of life (QoL). While verbal psychotherapy can be effective, it often falls short in addressing trauma at the bodily level, which dance movement therapy (DMT) can target. However, empirical evidence on DMT for SV/IPV survivors remains limited, with methodological weaknesses, scarce quantitative data, and unclear long-term effects. It also remains uncertain which specific DMT interventions are most effective.
Objectives: This study examines the effectiveness of DMT for SV/IPV survivors by comparing two interventions: the Baum-circle (BC; Koch & Harvey, 2012), previously applied to trauma populations, and Psychodrama-DMT (PDD), a new intervention integrating Psychodrama techniques and revised from Victoria’s (2012) choreographic model to be time-efficient yet therapeutically rich.
Methods: Using a mixed-methods design, the study investigated the effects of BC and PDD on Taiwanese women recovering from SV or IPV. Eight participants (N = 8) took part in eight DMT sessions alternating between both methods. Quantitative data were collected through standardized instruments and brief measures assessing trauma and emotional symptoms, general and body selfefficacy (GSE, BSE), and QoL. Analyses included t tests, ANOVA, and linear mixed models (LMM). Qualitative data from a focus group were analyzed thematically.
Results: Findings provided marginal support that both BC and PDD, individually and combined, reduced trauma symptoms and improved QoL. PDD showed significant improvement in BSE and a marginal reduction in emotional symptoms. Qualitative results suggested that BC fostered embodied awareness and relational connection, while PDD promoted symbolic insight and self-reflection.
Discussion: The study indicates potential clinical relevance in reducing trauma and emotional symptoms and enhancing QoL and BSE. PDD appears particularly promising; however, given the small sample size, results should be interpreted with caution.
Juo-Lan Kuo is a clinical psychologist in Taiwan who has worked with traumatized women for many years. Seeking to broaden her horizons in Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), she identified Germany as the ideal place to pursue a master’s program in this field. She is currently completing her master’s degree in DMT at SRH University, which has deeply inspired her. Her academic aspiration is to pursue a PhD that integrates quantum physics, dance movement therapy, and psychology, with the goal of collaborating with people worldwide to promote health and happiness.