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A Mind-Body Bridging Treatment Program for Domestic Violence Offenders: Program Overview and Evaluation Results

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Abstract

According to recent meta-analyses, conventional group interventions with domestic violence offenders are marginally effective. Given these results, researchers and practitioners are beginning to explore ways to improve domestic violence treatment outcomes. This article describes a 16-week domestic violence offender group treatment program for abusive men that is grounded in the Mind-Body therapeutic tradition. Results from an evaluation of this program, known as Mind-Body Bridging (MBB), are reported. These results indicate that MBB participants experienced better outcomes than the comparison group. Nine percent of MBB participants failed to complete treatment compared to 29 % of comparison group participants. Recidivism rates for the MBB group were also lower (4 % vs. 9 %) at follow-up (post-treatment average = 428 days). Mind-Body Bridging participants experienced significant pre/post treatment improvement on measures of mindfulness and physical and mental health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University, 320 N. Aggie Blvd., Vernal, UT, 84078, USA

    Derrik R. Tollefson

  2. Equinox Counseling Services, Murray, UT, 84107, USA

    Isaac Phillips

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  1. Derrik R. Tollefson
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  2. Isaac Phillips
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Correspondence to Derrik R. Tollefson.

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Tollefson, D.R., Phillips, I. A Mind-Body Bridging Treatment Program for Domestic Violence Offenders: Program Overview and Evaluation Results. J Fam Viol 30, 783–794 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9715-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9715-9

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