Cognitive behavioural group therapy versus mindfulness-based stress reduction group therapy for intimate partner violence: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Violence in close relationships is a global public health problem and there is a need to implement therapeutic programs designed to help individuals who voluntarily seek help to reduce recurrent intimate partner violence. The effectiveness of such interventions in this population remains inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural group therapy (CBGT) vs mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group therapy in reducing violent behavior amongst individuals who are violent in intimate partnerships and who voluntarily seek help. Methods: One hundred forty four participants were randomized using an internet-based computer system. Nineteen withdrew after randomization and 125 participants were randomly assigned to the intervention condition (CBGT, n = 67) or the comparator condition (MBSR, n = 58). The intervention condition involved two individual sessions followed by 15 cognitive-behavioural group therapy sessions. The comparator condition included one individual session before and after 8 mindfulness-based group sessions. Participants (N = 125) and their relationship partners (n = 56) completed assessments at baseline, and at three, six, nine and twelve months' follow-up. The predefined primary outcome was reported physical, psychological or sexual violence and physical injury as measured by the revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2). Results: The intent-to-treat analyses were based on 125 male participants (intervention group n = 67; comparator group n = 58). Fifty-six female partners provided collateral information. Baseline risk estimate in the CBGT-group was .85 (.74-.92), and .88 (.76-.94) in the MBSR-group for physical violence. At 12-months' follow-up a substantial reduction was found in both groups (CBGT: .08 (.03-.18); MBSR: .19 (.11-.32)).

Risk Factors and Treatment Needs of Batterer Intervention Program Participants with Substance Abuse Problems

“…For example, strategies based on dialectical behavior therapy (Cavanaugh et al, 2011;Linehan, 1993) could be included in some group sessions to address problems of dependency and emotional instability associated with several personality disorders. Also, BIPs could integrate activities derived from mindfulness-based stress reduction group therapy to counteract stress and enhance psychological adjustment (Nesset et al, 2020).…”

Homicidal Act Commited by an Elderly Person With Sexual Dysfunction. Case Report

“…Recent research has shown that repeated incidents of IPV had been registered by the police and/or by the health-and social care services before an intimate partner homicide case occurred. This raises a signal for both the police and health-and social services for coordinated approach to prevent recurrent family violence (Nesset et al, 2020).…”

he First 1000 Days in the Nordic Countries: Psychosocial Interventions and Psychological Tests: A Review of the Evidence

“…Documentation and literature: The literature search did not identify any scientific effect evaluations of the intervention. However, an additional search identified two effect evaluations of the intervention that were based on the same sample (Nesset et al, 2021;Nesset et al, 2020).…”

“…These men were randomly assigned to either the CBT anger management intervention after the Brøset Model (n = 67) or a comparator condition which received mindfulness-based sessions (n = 58). Nesset et al (2020) examined psychological-, physical-, or sexual violence in addition to physical injury as outcomes and Nesset et al (2021) examined anxiety and depression symptoms. In both studies, both the intervention-and the comparator group showed a significant improvement in outcome measures over 12 months.…”