Abstract
This work evaluated a psycho-educational, group-based, conjoint treatment for couples experiencing intimate partner violence characterized by mutual low-level physical violence and psychological aggression. The ability of the treatment program to reduce violence between partners was evaluated via a multi-method, multi-informant, multiple time point experimental design. Procedures were completed at four times: baseline/pre-treatment, post-treatment, ~six months post-treatment, and ~12 months post-treatment. At each time point, couples individually self-reported on violence in the relationship and participated in a conflict discussion during which behaviors that show a propensity toward violence (i.e., contempt, belligerence, domineering, anger, and defensiveness) were observed. Results show that the program had no direct impact on self-reported violence. However, the program did impact observed behavior; males in the treatment group showed a significant decline in behaviors that show a propensity toward violence. Although the model for females was not significant, the pattern for females was comparable to that of males.
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Notes
Please note that variation within the timing of when data collection procedures occurred were the result of scheduling complications (e.g., participants were not always available to complete procedures at the desired time range).
Please note that only statistics related to the interactions are described in detail hereafter since the main effects for Time and Group do not address research questions relevant to this work.
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Acknowledgment
This study was supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) (90OJ2022). The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ACF. We also express our gratitude to the following people who helped make this project possible: Robin Dion, Daniel Friend, Dan Yoshimoto, and all of the staff and volunteers at the Relationship Research Institute who worked on the CTAV project.
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Bradley, R.P.C., Drummey, K., Gottman, J.M. et al. Treating Couples Who Mutually Exhibit Violence or Aggression: Reducing Behaviors that Show a Susceptibility for Violence. J Fam Viol 29, 549–558 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-014-9615-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-014-9615-4