Nonviolent communication as an intervention for anxiety and depression among adults.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was exploring the impact of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) intervention on the quality of life of the individuals with anxiety and depression. The specific objectives included exploring the nature of anxiety and depression experienced by participants, assessing the acceptability of NVC intervention for individuals with anxiety and depression, and examining the influence of NVC intervention on managing anxiety and depression in their daily lives. The research involved 10 Bangladeshi adult participants with mild to severe anxiety and/or depression, selected through purposive sampling. The study employed a qualitative design, and participants underwent both individual and group NVC intervention sessions, including six group sessions and a minimum of six individual sessions. The data was collected using the in-depth interview method, and thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. The findings have been compartmentalized into three sections based on the specific objectives of this research. The initial section presents themes and sub-themes related to the nature of anxiety and depression experienced by the participants. The findings indicate that participants underwent various adverse life experiences that impacted their emotional regulation, daily functioning, self-perception, and relationships. The second section covers themes and sub-themes regarding the acceptability of NVC intervention for the individuals experiencing anxiety and depression. Results from this section reveal that participants welcomed and embraced NVC intervention through both individual and group sessions, positively affecting their quality of life. This leads to the third section of the research, focusing on the impact of the intervention. The themes and sub-themes in this section disclose that NVC intervention alleviated symptoms of anxiety and depression, fostering self-awareness, selfmanagement, improved interpersonal communication, enhanced self-efficacy, and instilled vi hope for applying Nonviolent Communication principles. Nevertheless, it was observed that participants with dependent personality traits, profound distress, and physical illnesses found the intervention challenging to implement. The comprehensive results derived from this study indicate that Nonviolent Communication serves as a well-received and efficacious instrument in effectively addressing both anxiety and depression. This implies that the application of Nonviolent Communication can play a significant role in providing effective support and coping mechanisms for individuals dealing with anxiety and depression.