More Likely to Dropout, but What if They Don't? Partner Violence Offenders With Alcohol Abuse Problems Completing Batterer Intervention Programs.

There is general consensus that alcohol abuse is a risk factor to be considered in batterer intervention programs. Intimate partner violence perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems are more likely to dropout of batterer intervention programs. However, there is little research on intimate partner violence perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems completing batterer intervention programs. In this study, we analyze drop-out rates among perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems and explore whether perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems completing a batterer intervention program differ from those who do not have alcohol abuse problems in a number of outcomes. The sample was 286 males convicted for intimate partner violence against women, attending a community-based batterer intervention program. Final (i.e., recidivism) and proximal (i.e., risk of recidivism, responsibility attributions, attitudes toward violence, sexism, psychological adjustment, and social integration) intervention outcomes were analyzed. Chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and one-way ANOVA were conducted. Results confirmed higher dropout rates among perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems. Results also showed a reduction in alcohol abuse among perpetrators with alcohol abuse problems completing the batterer intervention program. Finally, results showed that, regardless of alcohol abuse problems, perpetrators who completed the batterer intervention program showed improvements in all intervention outcomes analyzed. Perpetrators both with and without alcohol abuse problems can show positive changes after completing an intervention program and, in this regard, the present study highlights the need to design more effective adherence strategies for intimate partner violence perpetrators, especially for those with alcohol abuse problems.

Individualized motivational plans in batterer intervention programs: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment compliance and motivation to change are among the main challenges to improving batterer intervention program (BIP) effectiveness. This study examined whether adding an individualized motivational plan (IMP) to a standard BIP (SBIP) increased intervention effectiveness relative to BIP alone. METHOD: One hundred sixty males convicted of intimate partner violence were randomly assigned to receive 70 hr of either SBIP or SBIP plus IMP. The IMP is based on motivational interviewing, stages of change, and strength-based theory principles. We collected the data at baseline, at the end of the 9-month program and at 6-month follow-up. Final outcome was recidivism (recidivism data obtained from official databases, self-reported recidivism, and therapists' assessment of recidivism risk), and proximal outcomes included treatment compliance (dropout and intervention dose), and stage of change. We analyzed the results using both intent-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) approaches. RESULTS: Findings indicated that the SBIP plus IMP participants received significantly more intervention dose (R² = .08), finished the intervention in a more advanced stage of change (ITT, R² = .17; PP, R² = .22), reported less physical violence after treatment (ITT, odds ratio = .63; PP, odds ratio = .34), and had a higher reduction in recidivism risk (ITT, R² = .64; PP, R² = .56) than SBIP participants. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the relevance of alternative approaches, including strategies to increase treatment compliance and motivation for change, in BIPs. (PsycINFO Database Record

Differences in treatment adherence, program completion, and recidivism among batterer subtypes / Diferencias en la adherencia al tratamiento, finalización del programa y recaídas entre subtipos de maltratadores

The present study aimed to cross-validate Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart’s typology in a Spanish sample of court-referred intimate partner violence batterers. The study also analyzed the typology’s capability to predict treatment attendance, completion, and IPV recidivism two years after the treatment. The sample consisted of 210 batterers court referred to a batterer intervention program. Using cluster analysis, three batterer subtypes were identified in accordance with the original typology: family-only batterers, borderline/dysphoric, and generally violent-antisocial. The typology predicted program attendance, completion, and recidivism. Batterers from the generally violent-antisocial group attended a significantly lower number of sessions, presented the highest dropout levels, and had the highest recidivism rate followed by borderline/dysphoric and family-only batterers. These findings suggest that in order to increase the effectiveness of batterer intervention programs, batterers’ different needs and risk profiles should be taken into account (AU)

Este estudio tiene por objeto la validación cruzada de la tipología de Holtzworth-Munroe y Stuart en una muestra española de maltratadores de pareja remitidos por el tribunal. También analiza la capacidad de la tipología de predecir la asistencia al tratamiento, su finalización y las recaídas a los dos años del tratamiento. La muestra constaba de 210 maltratadores derivados por un tribunal a un programa de intervención. Mediante un análisis de clústers se descubrieron tres subtipos de maltratadores, según la tipología original: maltratadores familiares únicamente, límites/disfóricos y generalmente violentos-antisociales. La tipología predijo la asistencia al programa, su finalización y las recaídas. Los maltratadores del grupo generalmente violento-antisocial asistieron a un número de sesiones significativamente menor, mostraban el mayor grado de abandono y el mayor índice de recaídas, seguidos del grupo de límites/disfóricos y de los maltratadores familiares únicamente. Dichos resultados indican que para aumentar la eficacia de los programas de intervención con maltratadores hay que tener en consideración sus diferentes necesidades y los perfiles de riesgo (AU)

Responsive versus Treatment-Resistant Perpetrators in Batterer Intervention Programs: Personal Characteristics and Stages of Change.

This article aims to identify different personal characteristics in treatment-responsive and treatment-resistant perpetrators of intimate partner violence who completed a batterer intervention program (BIP). The sample consists of 105 perpetrators of intimate partner violence who were court-mandated to a community-based cognitive behavioral program. Perpetrators were classified by professionals as resistant or responsive to treatment based on the stage of change they reached upon completion of the program. The results show that before starting the intervention program, treatment-resistant perpetrators scored higher than treatment-responsive perpetrators in external responsibility attributions and attitudes toward violence in intimate relationships. No differences were found in personality disorders or psychological symptoms between the groups. However, longer program participation correlates with increasing differences between the two groups. The results suggest that targeting the personal characteristics which differentiate treatment-responsive perpetrators from treatment-resistant ones may help to increase the efficacy of BIPs.

Contextual Factors Related to Alcohol Abuse Among Intimate Partner Violence Offenders.

BACKGROUND: The association between alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence (IPV) has been reiterated in numerous studies. Some authors have found higher levels of risk factors in intimate partner violence offenders (IPVOs) with alcohol problems than in IPVOs without such problems. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship of contextual variables with harmful alcohol use in a sample of IPVOs. METHOD: This cross-sectional research analyzes data from 231 IPVOs. In addition to demographic data, information was collected on alcohol use, ethnicity, accumulation of stressful life events and perceived social support and rejection. The sample was divided into hazardous and nonhazardous alcohol users, according to the AUDIT test scale. RESULTS: No differences were found between groups on demographic variables. The results of a hierarchical logistic regression analysis supplemented with ROC curves revealed that Latin American immigrants as opposed to Spanish nationality, accumulating stressful life events, and perceiving low social support significantly increased the likelihood of alcohol abuse, with adequate predictive power. CONCLUSION: Contextual variables such as ethnicity, accumulation of stressful life events, and lack of social support may explain harmful alcohol consumption. These variables should be taken into account in batterer intervention programs in order to reduce one of the most relevant risk factors of IPV: alcohol abuse.

El consumo abusivo de alcohol en inmigrantes latinoamericanos participantes en programas de intervención para maltratadores: importancia de la adherencia al tratamiento / Alcohol Abuse in Latin American Immigrants Participating in Intervention Programs for Abusers: the Import ance of Adherence to Treatment

En este estudio, se analizan las tasas de abandono del tratamiento en hombres inmigrantes latinoamericanos con problemas de consumo de alcohol (PCA) derivados a programas de intervención con maltratadores, y se explora si aquellos que consiguen finalizar la intervención se diferencian de los que no tienen PCA en variables resultado de la intervención. La muestra la componen 107 hombres latinoamericanos condenados por violencia contra la mujer. Al contrario de lo esperado, no se confirman mayores tasas de abandono entre los participantes con PCA. Independientemente de tener o no PCA, los participantes que finalizaron el programa mostraron mejoría en todas las variables objetivo de la intervención analizadas, incluida la reducción del consumo de alcohol entre aquellos participantes con PCA.

This study analyzes dropout rates among Latin-American immigrants with alcohol abuse problems (AAP) participating in a batterer intervention program, and whether those perpetrators who finalize the intervention benefit the same as those participants without AAP in a number of program outcomes. The sample was 107 Latin-American immigrants convicted for intimate partner violence perpetration. Contrary to what was expected, there were not higher dropout rates among participants with AAP. Participants who finalized the intervention program, however, showed improvements in all outcomes variables explored regardless of whether they had AAP, including a reduction of alcohol abuse among participants with AAP.

Necesidades percibidas en el trabajo doméstico y de cuidados: un estudio cualitativo / Perceived needs in domestic work and care: A qualitative study

El estudio se centra en la comprensión del concepto de trabajo doméstico y de cuidados. Las investigaciones tradicionales no tienen en cuenta panorámicas amplias sobre los aspectos subjetivos y experienciales de quienes llevan a cabo esta clase de tareas en condiciones diversas. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar las necesidades percibidas en el trabajo doméstico y de cuidados para su adecuada ejecución desde la experiencia subjetiva de los cuidadores. Se recoge una muestra de 37 cuidadores de diferentes tipologías: amas de casa con dedicación exclusiva, responsables del hogar que trabajan también fuera de este, empleados del hogar sin formación específica y trabajadores familiares con formación y titulación profesional. El método cualitativo de descripción densa se emplea para analizar 5 grupos de discusión. Los resultados que se presentan muestran 3 aspectos comunes destacables en todos los grupos relacionados con las necesidades percibidas en el trabajo doméstico y de cuidados (tener en cuenta su complejidad, centralidad del componente emocional y relevancia del cuidado de los cuidadores) y 2 puntos en común en 2 grupos específicos (definición integral del concepto y necesidad de establecer redes de apoyo). Se concluye que es imprescindible tomar iniciativas para garantizar todos los elementos necesarios en el cuidado integral

Traditionally, studies of domestic work and care did not include subjective perspectives of workers and carers and what they perceive as being necessary to carry out these tasks. A total of 37 caregivers of four different types were interviewed in 5 focus group discussions: housewives, responsible of household and workers, domestic assistants without specific certification, and family workers with specific certification. The results show 3 common points in all groups in relation to the perceived needs in domestic work and care: considering domestic work as a complex task, the importance of emotions, and the need for care for caregivers; and 2 points in common in 2 specific groups (a comprehensive definition of care and a need for social support). It is essential to ensure that all necessary elements are provided in comprehensive care

¿Influyen las diferencias culturales en los resultados de los programas de intervención con maltratadores? Un estudio con agresores españoles y latinoamericanos / Do cultural differences influence batterer intervention program outcomes? A study with spanish and latin american offenders

En este estudio se analiza, en primer lugar, si existen diferencias entre hombres latinoamericanos inmigrantes y españoles condenados por violencia contra la mujer en las relaciones de pareja, en relación a sus actitudes hacia la violencia (i.e., gravedad percibida, culpabilización de la víctima y aceptabilidad de la violencia), atribución de responsabilidad, sexismo y riesgo de reincidencia al inicio de un programa de intervención con maltratadores. En segundo lugar, se comprueba si existen diferencias al finalizar la intervención en los resultados del programa entre inmigrantes latinoamericanos y nativos. Para ello se utiliza una muestra de 278 participantes que han finalizado un programa de intervención para hombres penados por violencia contra la pareja (211 españoles y 67 inmigrantes latinoamericanos). Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre españoles y latinoamericanos en la percepción de gravedad de la violencia, culpabilización de la víctima, aceptación de la violencia contra la pareja y sexismo benevolente. Estos resultados destacan que, independientemente de las diferencias iniciales entre maltratadores españoles y latinoamericanos, ambos grupos se benefician igualmente de la intervención

This study analyzed, first, if there were any differences in attitudes towards partner violence (i.e., perceived severity, victim blaming, and acceptability), responsibility attributions, sexism, and risk of recidivism between Latin American immigrants and Spanish offenders convicted of intimate-partner violence at the beginning of a batterer intervention program. Second, differences in the batterer intervention program outcomes between Spanish and Latin American offenders were explored. The sample consisted of 278 batterers (211 Spanish and 67 Latin American) who participated in a community-based batterer intervention program. Results showed significant differences between Spanish and Latin American offenders in perceived severity, victim blaming, violence against women acceptability, and benevolent sexism. Regarding batterer intervention program outcomes, results showed that despite initial differences between Spanish and Latin American offenders, both groups benefit equally from the intervention

Recidivism risk reduction assessment in batterer intervention programs: A key indicator for program efficacy evaluation / Evaluación de la disminución del riesgo de recaida en los programas de intervención con maltratadores: Indicador clave en la evaluación de la eficaciadel programa

La evidencia sobre la eficacia de los programas de intervención para maltratadores es limitada. Los objetivos de este estudio son: (1) analizar el cambio en un conjunto de objetivos de intervención y su asociación con la reincidencia en un programa de intervención con maltratadores y (2) analizar características pretratamiento vinculadas con una mayor probabilidad de cambio. El diseño fue longitudinal con medidas pre- y post-tratamiento. Se utilizaron auto-informes, evaluaciones profesionales y datos oficiales de reincidencia. Los participantes fueron 212 agresores que acudían por mandato judicial a un programa de intervención. Se encontraron ganancias significativas en tres objetivos de la intervención (asunción de responsabilidad, gravedad percibida y reducción del riesgo de reincidencia). La puntuación en reducción del riesgo de reincidencia fue el mejor indicador de éxito. Este indicador predijo significativamente la reincidencia obteniendo el mayor tamaño del efecto. Un modelo estructural mostró que las puntuaciones de los agresores en control de la ira, impulsividad, apoyo social, consumo de alcohol y gravedad del delito predecían significativamente la reducción del riesgo de reincidencia. Los participantes cambiaron en los objetivos de intervención y la reducción del riesgo de reincidencia desempeñó un papel central en la predicción de la reincidencia

The evidence available on the efficacy of batterer intervention programs is still limited. The aim of the present study is twofold: (1) to analyze change in a set of intervention targets and their association with reconviction in a batterer intervention program implemented in Spain, and (2) to analyze pre-treatment participants’ characteristics linked with an increased likelihood of change. The research design was a prospective longitudinal study with measures obtained in two points in time (pre-treatment and post-treatment). Self-report measures, trained program staff assessment, and reconviction official records were used. Participants consisted of 212 offenders participating in a court-mandated batterer intervention program. A significant gain in three intervention targets (responsibility assumption, perceived severity of intimate partner violence against women, and recidivism risk reduction) was found. Recidivism risk reduction gain score was the best success indicator. It significantly predicted reconviction with the highest effect size. A structural equation model showed that recidivism risk reduction was significantly predicted by pre-treatment offenders’ anger control, impulsivity, social support, alcohol consumption, and offense seriousness. Participants changed in the intervention targets analyzed and risk of recidivism reduction played a central role in the prediction of reconviction

Cultural Differences in Personality and Aggressive Behavior in Intimate Partner Violence Offenders: A Comparison of English and Spanish Offenders.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a ubiquitous and serious problem, the prevalence of which varies greatly around the world. Previous research shows that cultural factors interact with personality and that this interaction influences cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors that are related to personal and individual styles of resolving conflicts. In relation to this, the present study has three aims: comparing the self-reported IPV (physical, psychological and sexual) of English and Spanish offenders, comparing the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III (MCMI-III) scores of the two groups, and examining the association between country of origin, psychopathology, and IPV. The sample consists of 147 IPV offenders (80 English and 67 Spanish). The measures used were the MCMI-III and the Conflict Tactics Scale 2. The Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the English and Spanish sample, and independent logistic regressions were used to examine the relationship between personality patterns, psychopathology and culture, and IPV. Higher frequencies of physical and psychological aggression were found in the English group compared with the Spanish group as well as several differences in personality patterns and psychopathology between the groups. Some MCMI-III subscales also interact with nationality and predict physical and psychological aggression. The relevance of these results for intervention is discussed.

The contribution of childhood parental rejection and early androgen exposure to impairments in socio-cognitive skills in intimate partner violence perpetrators with high alcohol consumption.

Alcohol consumption, a larger history of childhood parental rejection, and high prenatal androgen exposure have been linked with facilitation and high risk of recidivism in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. Participants were distributed into two groups according to their alcohol consumption scores as high (HA) and low (LA). HA presented a higher history of childhood parental rejection, prenatal masculinization (smaller 2D:4D ratio), and violence-related scores than LA IPV perpetrators. Nonetheless, the former showed poor socio-cognitive skills performance (cognitive flexibility, emotional recognition and cognitive empathy). Particularly in HA IPV perpetrators, the history of childhood parental rejection was associated with high hostile sexism and low cognitive empathy. Moreover, a masculinized 2D:4D ratio was associated with high anger expression and low cognitive empathy. Parental rejection during childhood and early androgen exposure are relevant factors for the development of violence and the lack of adequate empathy in adulthood. Furthermore, alcohol abuse plays a key role in the development of socio-cognitive impairments and in the proneness to violence and its recidivism. These findings contribute to new coadjutant violence intervention programs, focused on the rehabilitation of basic executive functions and emotional decoding processes and on the treatment of alcohol dependence.

¿Se benefician de los programas de intervención que no tratan específicamente el consumo de alcohol los maltratadores con problemas de consumo abusivo? / Do offenders with alcohol problems benefit from non-alcohol oriented batterer intervention programs?

En el ámbito de la intervención con maltratadores y de la investigación en torno a la mejora de la efectividad de estas intervenciones el consumo abusivo de alcohol ha sido uno de los factores de riesgo que ha recibido especial atención. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la relación entre el consumo abusivo de alcohol, el proceso de cambio debido a la intervención y el abandono prematuro. Para ello se utilizó una muestra de 86 hombres consumidores de riesgo y 80 hombres no consumidores de riesgo, todos ellos condenados por violencia contra la mujer en las relaciones de pareja y participando en un programa de intervención en medio comunitario que no trata específicamente el problema de consumo abusivo de alcohol. Mediante múltiples ANOVA de medidas repetidas los resultados revelan que existe mayor porcentaje de abandonos de la intervención en los consumidores de riesgo. Sin embargo, independientemente de los niveles de consumo de alcohol, con la intervención se obtienen cambios positivos en relación al riesgo de reincidencia y al resto de indicadores de éxito analizados -atribuciones y actitudes hacia la violencia y la mujer, ajuste psicológico y apoyo social. Finalmente se discuten los resultados y sus implicaciones prácticas (AU)

In the field of batterer intervention and research on improving the effectiveness of these interventions, alcohol abuse has been one of the risk factors that has received special attention. The aim of this work is analyze the relationship between alcohol abuse, process of change due to the intervention, and the dropout rate. The sample consisted of 86 risk male consumers and 80 non risk male consumers, all of them sentenced for violence against women and participating in an intervention program in community environment that does not specifically address the problem of alcohol use. Using multiple repeated measures ANOVAs, the results reveal that there is a higher percentage of dropouts from the intervention among risk consumers. However, regardless of alcohol use, participating in the intervention program was associated with positive changes in relation to risk of recidivism and other success indicators analyzed - attributions and attitudes toward violence, psychological adjustment, and social support. Finally, the results and their practical implications are discussed (AU)

[Alcohol consumption in men punished for intimate partner violence: individual and contextual factors]. / Consumo de alcohol en hombres penados por violencia contra la pareja: factores individuales y contextuales.

Alcohol consumption is often associated with violence against women. The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship between alcohol and other relevant variables in the intervention with men convicted of intimate partner violence, both at the individual and contextual spheres. Clinical symptomatology, Drug abuse, Impulsivity, Self-esteem, Assumption of responsibility, Intimate support perception, Social rejection perception, Accumulation of stressful life events, Income perception and Social support in community are assessed in a sample of 291 participants in an intervention program for men condemned for intimate partner violence. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlations and ANOVAs. Statistically significant differences were obtained among Risk consumers and Not risk consumers in Clinical symptomatology, Drug abuse, Impulsivity, Self-esteem and Attribution of blame to personal context as individual variables and Intimate support perception, Social rejection and Accumulation of stressful life events as contextual variables. Results of previous work are confirmed and the importance of considering social factors in the participants' environment when considering decreasing alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence is demonstrated. New tools for enhancing interventions in rehabilitation programs with men convicted for violence against women is provided.