Intervention Program With Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The current project aims to develop, implement and assess the effectiveness of an intervention program for perpetrators of intimate partner violence (both volunteers and court-mandated) that incorporates Motivational Interviewing techniques (MIT) as well as cognitive-behavioral and psychoeducational strategies implemented in a community setting. The intervention focuses on ending violence against the intimate partner and promoting the batterer's personal and social skills. The study uses pre- and post-treatment measures, with an experimental group (intervention) and two control groups (a group without intervention and a group without MIT). Data were collected at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up.

Official Title
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Intervention Program With Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence

Conditions
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Intimate Partner Violence

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Psychological


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: being an adult male; having perpetrated physical, psychological, and/or sexual violence against a female intimate partner or ex-partner; be able to read and write. Exclusion Criteria: psychotic disorders; cognitive impairment; psychological and/or personality disorders; substance abuse.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group cognitive-behavioral intervention plus individual Motivational Interviewing<br>Group participants will participate in six individual sessions based on Motivational Interviewing techniques (60 minutes each) and then in 18 group sessions based on psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral techniques (90 to 120 minutes each). Groups will be composed of 6 to 10 participants. The intervention will be delivered weekly. | Other: Psychological<br> <br> |
| Experimental: Group cognitive-behavioral intervention<br>Group participants will participate in 18 group sessions based on psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral techniques (90 to 120 minutes each). Groups will be composed of 6 to 10 participants. The intervention will be delivered weekly. | Other: Psychological<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Treatment as usual (TAU)<br>Group participants will receive the usual treatment delivered by different institutions (e.g., correctional services, probation services, child protection services) as the participants of this study are justice-involved individuals (i.e., perpetrators of intimate partner violence). | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Perpetration of abuse against intimate partner | Marital Violence Inventory (IVC) - Total scores range between 0 and 40. Higher scores mean a higher frequency of intimate partner violence. | 18 weeks | 
| Attitudes towards intimate partner violence | Attitudes towards Marital Violence Scale (ECVC) - Total score ranges between 25 and 125. Higher scores mean more supportive attitudes towards intimate partner violence. | 18 weeks | 
| Psychopathological symptoms | Bref Symptom Inventory (BSI) - BSI includes nine dimensions and three global indexes. Higher scores mean more psychopathological symptoms. | 18 weeks | 
| Coping skills | Coping scale - Total score ranges between 13 and 52. Higher scores mean better coping skills. | 18 weeks | 
| Risk of intimate partner violence | Spouse Abuse Risk Assessment (SARA) - Total scores range between 0 and 40. Higher scores mean a higher risk of intimate partner violence. | 18 weeks | 
| Motivation to change | University Rhode Island Change Assessment - Domestic Violence - Revised (URICA-DV-R) - URICA-DV-R includes a Readiness to Change Index - higher scores mean higher readiness to change. | 18 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Self-esteem | Rosenberg Self-esteem scale (RSES) - Total scores range between 10 and 40. Higher scores mean higher self-esteem. | 18 weeks | 
| Self-concept | Self-concept inventory (ICAC) - Total scores range between 20 and 100. Higher scores mean higher self-concept. | 18 weeks | 
| Aggression | Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) - Total scores range between 29 and 145. Higher scores mean higher levels of aggression. | 18 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Intimate partner violence, Perpetrator, Intervention program