Changes in Negative Attributions during Couple Therapy for Abusive Behavior: Relations to Changes in Satisfaction and Behavior

Abstract

This study examined effects of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (n = 25 couples) and a variety of systems-oriented couple therapy models (n = 30 couples) in reducing negative attributions and degrees to which decreases in negative attributions were associated with improvements in other aspects of relationship functioning. Couples seeking treatment at a university clinic and experiencing psychological and/or mild-to-moderate physical abuse completed 10 weekly sessions. Attributions, relationship satisfaction, psychological abuse, communication, and negotiation were assessed before and after treatment. Women and men in both treatments exhibited decreased negative attributions, which moderated increases in satisfaction and decreases in negative communication, as well as increases in positive communication for men. The findings reinforce the importance of modifying negative attributions when intervening to reduce abuse.

Increasing Responsibility, Safety, and Trust Through a Dialogical Approach: A Case Study in Couple Therapy for Psychological Abusive Behavior

“…However, no single model has proved to be more effective than any other: All seem to decrease negative communication and psychological and physical aggression, and to increase relationship satisfaction (LaTaillade, Epstein, & Werlinich, 2006). In this sense, the findings seem to offer support for couple therapy regardless of the theoretical orientation (Hrapczynski et al, 2012;LaTaillade et al, 2006). Furthermore, all the treatment modes contain specific strengths and weaknesses.…”

“…As already pointed out by a number of authors (Bograd & Mederos, 1999;Hrapczynski et al, 2012;Langhinrichsen-Rohling & Capaldi, 2012;McCollum & Stith, 2008;Stith & McCollum, 2011;Whitaker et al, 2007), having the couple together in therapy can have the following benefits:…”

“…Up to the present time, four main conditions have been described under which couple treatment for IPV is indicated: (1) when there is lowto-moderate violence (with any psychological abuse also having to be infrequent and mild); (2) when both partners voluntarily agree to participate in the therapy and wish to remain together; (3) when both partners want to end the violence; and (4) when the violence is reciprocal (Bograd & Mederos, 1999;Hrapczynski, Epstein, Werlinich, & LaTaillade, 2012;Stith, McCollum, Amanor-Boadu, & Smith, 2012;Stith, McCollum, Rosen, Locke, & Goldberg, 2005;Whitaker, Haileyesus, Swahn, & Saltzman, 2007). One key issue must also be the ending of any physical abuse, and the ensuring of safety for the victim.…”

“…Furthermore, a growing body of research has indicated that couple therapy can lead to (1) the strengthening of each person's responsibility 1 (with the focus on dyadic interactions allowing a more agentic and more powerful vision of the woman than has traditionally been put forward; Langhinrichsen-Rohling & Capaldi, 2012); (2) a focus on the couple's relationship dynamics (Bograd & Mederos, 1999;Hrapczynski et al, 2012;McCollum & Stith, 2008;Stith & McCollum, 2011); and (3) an understanding of how the escalation process takes place (Whitaker et al, 2007). Bearing all this in mind, core goals in conjoint treatment for IPV would include getting people to take responsibility, optimizing safety, and developing trust.…”

Couple Therapy for Partner Aggression: Effects on Individual and Relational Well-Being

“…This study was a secondary analysis of data previously collected for a study (LaTaillade et al, 2006;Hrapczynski, Epstein, Werlinich, & LaTaillade, 2011) evaluating effects of couple therapies for reducing psychological and mild to moderate physical aggression. Effects of several theoretical models (e.g., cognitive-behavioral, emotion-focused, narrative therapy) were assessed but were not compared to each other because the sample did not include a sufficient number of cases for each model.…”