A Description of the Change Processes Experienced by Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence when They and Their Male Partners End the Violence and Maintain Their Relationships

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the processes of change for female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) who successfully completed a domesticviolence focused couples treatment (DVFCT) program with their male partners. Enhancing our understanding of the change processes for women who choose to remain in their relationships helps therapists develop more effective IPV treatment models when both partners are involved in treatment. While a goal of DVFC treatment is to end the violence, this study highlights the changes women victims made and how they evolved throughout the treatment process. This study describes those changes in order to develop targeted interventions to bring these changes about more purposefully. Two women were selected from a pool of 30 women who successfully participated in a 12 session DVFC treatment program. Videotapes of 12 couples therapy sessions were analyzed using modified analytic induction (Manning, 1991). The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982, 1984) processes of change guided the analysis. Using modified analytic induction, we described participants’ changes in attitudes and behaviors and the identifiable markers of these changes. Findings highlight a relational change process between spouses. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This journey has been remarkable! And, I feel tremendous relief to be here, at the final phase of this process. As usual, the process has taught me so much and I feel blessed to have experienced it. In researching and writing about change processes, my change process has been enriching, frustrating at times, and relieving. To be here now, I am grateful, and there are many of you for whom I am grateful. Karen, you have been and continue to be such an inspiration! Your comments and ability to help me see through the woods was invaluable for this project and in general. I feel lucky to have had your partnership in this project. I knew you and this project would stretch me and, now, I feel more confident as a result. “Thank you” does not begin to describe my gratitude for you but please accept my thanks, my appreciation, and my heart-felt gratitude for your participation as my Chair. Sandi: the way you parachuted in to over-see the final phase of this project was amazing. I am grateful for your abilities to jump on board and further my efforts. You provided guidance and direction at just the right time and I feel blessed by your efforts. The level of teamwork between our department’s professionals and colleagues has left a lasting impression. I am blessed to have participated on this team and appreciate your impeccable leadership at just the right moments. Eric: I remember my first meeting with you about this project when I thought the URICA was the EUREKA! How little I knew! Thank you for your guidance and support as this project developed and for all the supervision along the way. I appreciate how I have always been able to bounce ideas off of you and for your thoughtful supervision over the last year and a half.