Strengths and Weaknesses of Inviting Men to a Voluntary-Based Domestic Violence Intervention.

This study examines the factors motivating domestic violence perpetrators to participate in a voluntary-based intervention program. The experiences and determining factors around men's positive and negative responses to this invitation were examined through semi-structured interviews with professionals, observations, and reflexive notes during the first meeting with 29 men. Two major themes emerged from the thematic analysis: the factors making men more likely to attend the first meeting or resisting the group intervention. These findings can help professionals recognize the challenges of inviting perpetrators to interventions, especially in countries with insufficient laws for mandated domestic violence perpetrator programs. The paper discusses the importance during the first meeting of building rapport and trust and recognizing complex family histories to encourage voluntary attendance and intervention engagement.

Discrimination Against Muslims in the USA and Couple Interactions: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model.

Muslims in the USA experience unfair treatment and direct exposure to discriminatory acts because of their religion. Trauma stemming from discrimination can strengthen couples' relationships as they find solace in each other, or strain relationships if couples struggle to cope with the stress. This study examined the relationship between experiencing anti-Muslim hate and couples' interactional quality. Further, the role of open communication between partners in moderating the impact of anti-Muslim hate on couple interactions was examined. The study included a sample of 129 Muslim couples. The results indicated gender disparity whereby anti-Muslim hate was linked to negative interactions in relationships for Muslim women, but this was not true for their male partners. In addition, open communication had contracting gender effects on the relationship between anti-Muslim hate and couple interactions. Increased self-disclosure buffered the adverse effects of anti-Muslim hate by reducing the likelihood of negative interactions. Among women, increased self-disclosure exacerbated the detrimental effects of anti-Muslim hate on the couples' relationship such that couples engaged in more negative interactions. Clinical implications are discussed.

Moderating Factors Associated With Interrupting the Transmission of Domestic Violence Among Adolescents.

Exposure to child maltreatment in the family-of-origin has consistently been linked to intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in adulthood. Although the concept of a cycle of violence presumes that the transmission of violence is expressed directly across generations, some protective factors such as social support, self-esteem, and relationship quality with parents may ultimately be influential in nonviolent behavior in adult relationships. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data set, we tested protective factors to see if and to what extent they disrupted the association from early childhood maltreatment to experiencing violence later on in adult relationships. We found that there was a positive association between adolescence exposure to maltreatment and adult perpetration and victimization of IPV. Also, social support in adolescence was identified as a predictor of lower levels of violence in adult relationship. Clinical implications were discussed to help therapists intervene with adolescents in the hopes of reducing their propensity toward violent relationships in adulthood.