A randomized clinical trial of motivational enhancement therapy for alcohol problems in partner violent men

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of brief alcohol intervention in the context of community-based treatment for partner violence. In a randomized clinical trial, 228 partner-violent men with hazardous or problem drinking were recruited at three Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) treatment agencies and randomly assigned to receive one of two 4-session alcohol interventions: Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET: N = 110) or Alcohol Education (AE: N = 118). After completing alcohol intervention, participants received standard agency counseling services for IPV. Participants completed assessments of alcohol use, drug use, and IPV at pre-treatment, post-alcohol intervention, and quarterly follow-ups for 12 months. At the end of the 4-session alcohol intervention, MET participants displayed greater acknowledgment of problems with alcohol than AE participants (Partial ή = 0.039, p = 0.006). Significant changes from baseline across treatment conditions (at p < 0.001) were observed for percent days of alcohol abstinence [95% empirical CI for Partial ή =0.226, 0.296], heavy drinking [0.292, 0.349], illicit drug use [0.096, 0.156] and partner violence [0.282, 0.334]. No significant condition differences (treatment by time interactions) were found for alcohol abstinence [95% empirical CI for Partial ή = 0.007, 0.036], heavy drinking [0.016, 0.055], illicit drug use [0.005, 0.035] or partner violence [0.001, 0.004]. Results encourage continued use of brief alcohol interventions in community IPV services, but do not provide evidence of a unique benefit of MET in reducing alcohol use in this population.

Motivational Strategies in Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence Offenders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Knowledge of allocation concealment was not properly described except for two trials that reported a suitable method to conceal allocation (Kraanen et al, 2013;Stuart et al, 2013). Four trials (33.3%) reported no or incomplete blinding of participants and personnel (Alexander et al, 2010;Bahia, 2016;Murphy et al, 2018;Woodin & O'Leary et al, 2010). In the remaining eight trials (66.7%), the blinding of participants and personnel scores indicate that the risk is unclear due to inadequate description.…”

Interventions to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration by Men Who Use Substances: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Efficacy

“…Although a variety of outcome measures were used in the trials, the CTS-2 was used to assess IPV in eight of the included trials and embedded within the TLFB approach for one trial (Murphy et al 2018).…”

“…Kistenmacher (2000) and Palmstierna et al (2012) included samples where 66.7% and 77% of the samples, respectively, were considered 'hazardous drinkers' 1 or dependent on alcohol. Kistenmacher Identification Test (AUDIT) (Murphy et al, 2018;Stuart et al, 2013) and the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP; Miller, Tonigan & Longabaugh, 1995) (Stuart et al, 2013). Drug and alcohol abuse and/or dependence was assessed using the DSM-VI for five trials Easton et al, 2018;Mbilinyi et al, 2011;Satyanarayana et al, 2016;Stuart et al, 2013).…”

“…Drug and alcohol abuse and/or dependence was assessed using the DSM-VI for five trials Easton et al, 2018;Mbilinyi et al, 2011;Satyanarayana et al, 2016;Stuart et al, 2013). Kraanen et al (2013) assessed alcohol and drug abuse and/or dependency using Measurements in The addictions For Triage and Evaluation (MATE) (Schippers, Broekman & Buchholz, 2007), while Murphy et al (2018) assessed alcohol abuse and/or dependency using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for 1 the term 'Hazardous' drinkers or drinking was used across a number of the included studies.…”

“…Murphy et al (2018) compared four individual MI sessions followed by a standard IPV programme with TAU (IPV programme) with four additional SU educational sessions. A significant reduction in alcohol abstinent days, percent of heavy drinking days, percent of illicit drug use and percent of partner violence were reported for men in both treatment arms at 12-month follow-up.…”