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AN INTENSIVE EXAMINATION OF BATTERERS AND A PROGRAM FOR TREATMENT
Abstract
This study examined the effectiveness of a twelve-week, cognitive-behavioral, group treatment program applied to 14 adult males seeking outpatient treatment for domestic violence. A modified multiple baseline procedure was employed to monitor physical abuse, psychological abuse and anger, and establish an ethical means of comparison between minimum treatment, full treatment, and follow-up experimental phases. Repeated measures of variables theoretically related to battering (e.g. conflict management style, assertion, self-esteem, reaction to provocation, and social support) were administered between treatment phases. Finally, this study utilized reports from participants' wives/partners and group therapists in order to examine the issue of under-reporting by batterers. Results revealed sizable declines in physical abuse, moderate declines in psychological abuse, and little change in anger as a result of treatment interventions. Analysis of variables theoretically related to battering indicated participants reported slight changes in predicted directions on all measures. Comparison of participant and partner reports demonstrated under-reporting of physical and psychological abuse by participants. Finally, examination of individual differences of participants revealed wide variation in backgrounds, psychological characteristics, and level of involvement in therapy. Variables including alcohol abuse, having been abused as a child, and frequency and severity of previous battering affected treatment outcome. Self-monitoring, use of time-out procedures, and high level of involvement in treatment appeared particularly efficacious in reducing physical abuse. Cognitive-behavioral treatment techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral rehearsal, and assertiveness training appeared most effective in reducing psychological abuse. Results are discussed as they pertain to theoretical, treatment, and research concerns. Particular note is made of the types of treatment modalities likely to be successful with batterers, the importance and feasibility of socially validating participant reports of abuse, and the role of habit strength and demand characteristics as important variables in determining treatment outcome.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy
Recommended Citation
GERNDT, JAMES KEITH, "AN INTENSIVE EXAMINATION OF BATTERERS AND A PROGRAM FOR TREATMENT" (1986). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8624590.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8624590