Preliminary examination of a mutual intimate partner violence intervention among treatment-mandated couples.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread global health problem. Despite growing evidence indicating that men and women commit IPV, most traditional interventions focus on male-to-female violence and do not address mutual violence. This circumscribed focus represents one potential reason traditional treatments have had only a modest effect on recidivism. The current study investigated a pilot intervention for mutually violent couples with ethnically diverse, treatment-mandated men and women. Using a longitudinal design, 121 couples were assessed (semistructured clinical interview, Conflict Tactics Scale-Revised [CTS-2]) and mandated to either the pilot intervention or another community agency. Of the 92 couples referred for the 12-week, pilot group intervention (plus 1-2 preparatory, individual sessions), 89% of couples had one or both partners complete. Posttreatment assessments were conducted (CTS-2, satisfaction ratings), anticipating reductions in perpetrated and received IPV among treatment completers. Using 1-year conviction data to assess recidivism (IPV and general violence convictions), it was hypothesized that the lowest recidivism rates would be found when both partners completed, intermediate rates when one partner completed, and the highest rates when neither completed. Consistent with hypotheses, men who completed treatment reported reduced perpetration of physical assault and received less injury, and women who completed reported receiving less physical assault and injury. At 1-year follow-up, couples who completed had lower recidivism rates, with couples in which both partners completed evidencing the best outcomes. Results provide preliminary support for the proposed mutual violence intervention. Clinical implications, including the effect of a thorough assessment and tailored treatment recommendations, are discussed.

Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programs: A Proposal for Evidence-Based Standards in the United States

“…Some BIPs for women have been found to reduce psychological problems such as stress and depressive symptoms in women (Tutty et al, 2009), psychological PA perpetrated by women Tutty et al, 2006Tutty et al, , 2009, and PA victimization in women (Tutty et al, 2009;Wray et al, 2013). However, there is currently no evidence that BIPs reduce physical partner aggression perpetrated by women.…”

“…Only a few studies have quantitatively examined treatment outcomes for women in perpetrator programs (Buttell, 2002;Carney & Buttell, 2004aTutty, Babins-Wagner, & Rothery, 2006Wray et al, 2013), and there have been no RCTs evaluating court-mandated treatments for female perpetrators of IPV. In a qualitative study, T. Walker (2013) interviewed seven women who had completed the Women and Violence Explored (WAVE) program in the United Kingdom.…”

“…Couples who had been court mandated to treatment participated in separate gender specific groups that were 12 sessions in length (Wray et al, 2013). The program was cognitive-behavioral and focused on relationship skills, emotional awareness, and parenting skills.…”

“…Researchers have conducted numerous quasi-experimental and experimental investigations that examined different types of conjoint interventions, including interventions based on cognitive-behavioral principles (Brannen & Rubin, 1996;Dunford, 2000;O'Leary, Heyman, & Neidig, 1999); Domestic Violence Focused Couples Treatment (DVFCT; Stith, Rosen, McCollum, & Thomsen, 2004); nonaggression-focused behavioral couple therapy (Simpson, Atkins, Gattis, & Christensen, 2008); brief motivation-focused interventions (Woodin & O'Leary, 2010); and interventions based on Gottman's principles such as communication, conflict management, intimacy/ friendship, and creating a shared meaning (Adler-Baeder, Robertson, & Schramm, 2010;Bradley et al, 2011;Bradley & Gottman, 2012;Wray, Hoyt, & Gerstle, 2013). These types of interventions typically occur in a group format and include participation from both individuals involved in the violent relationship.…”

“…One quasi-experimental study has examined the outcomes of having both members of mutually violent couples attend gender-specific treatment groups to reduce IPV (Wray et al, 2013). Couples who had been court mandated to treatment participated in separate gender specific groups that were 12 sessions in length (Wray et al, 2013).…”