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Intimate partner violence is a major public health and human rights issue in South Africa. This violence tends to run in families and generations, with little change over time and devastating consequences at individual, family and community levels. Understanding the mecha nisms for intergenerational transmission of violence may offer important clues for prevention and intervention to halt this recurrence. Health professionals are well placed to identify patients at risk and intervene in families characterised by interpersonal violence.

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This study compared the efficacy of a novel group-based aggressive script rehearsal treatment program with an emotion regulation program. Participants were 48 incarcerated adult males (28 in the script rehearsal program and 20 in the emotion regulation program). Outcomes, including the frequency of aggressive script rehearsal, aggressive behavior, and emotion regulation difficulties, were measured pre-and post-treatment and at 46 days (on average) after treatment completion, and 104 days (on average) following treatment completion. Linear Mixed Model analyses revealed no significant difference in the frequency of script rehearsal overtime for either program. There was a significant reduction in aggressive behavior associated with the script rehearsal program and a reduction in emotion regulation difficulties for both programs. Future iterations of this aggressive script rehearsal treatment program may benefit from greater intensity and incorporation of strategies that address the many cognitive, affective, and situational factors that trigger and maintain aggressive scripts.

This paper discusses issues arising when interviewing men and women in forensic mental health services, noting that many patients in these settings have significant histories of aggression or violence. The differences between interviews conducted for assessment purposes and those that are conducted as part of treatment are noted. We identify some important considerations for interviewers. These relate to characteristics of the client, characteristics of the interviewer, and features of the mental health setting that might impact on the interview. Some practical recommendations are offered to assist forensic mental health practitioners who conduct both types of interview.