Self-Determined Goals and Treatment of Domestic Violence Offenders: What If We Leave It Up to Them?

Abstract

Despite empirical evidence of self-determined goals and positive treatment outcomes, most conventional treatment programs of domestic violence offenders do not use self-determined goals as an integral part of their treatment efforts. The foundation for this article is a qualitative study that used data from 127 domestic violence offenders to explore the content and characteristics of goals that were self-determined by the offenders in a solution-focused, goal-directed treatment program. The emergent themes showed that the self-determined goals developed by offenders focused on self-focused and relational-focused attitudinal change and skills development. Three observed characteristics of these goals revolved around (a) emotional regulation versus cognitive understanding, (b) positively stated versus negatively stated goals, and (c) capacity building versus problem elimination. The implications of findings are discussed with the intention of generating useful dialogues among helping professionals to revisit treatment practices, orientations, and assumptions regarding treatment of domestic violence offenders.

Motivational Strategies, Working Alliance, and Protherapeutic Behaviors in Batterer Intervention Programs: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In addition, most of these men are court referred or enter intervention as a result of external pressure (Daly & Pelowski, 2000;Velonis et al, 2016). Motivational strategies seem to overcome some of these difficulties by establishing a collaborative environment and helping participants to establish self-determined goals through the exploration of potential benefits of change (Lee et al, 2014;Miller & Rollnick, 2002). Regarding bond, Safran and Muran (2000) stressed the importance of participants' trust in facilitators' ability to help them throughout the intervention.…”

Individualized motivational plans in batterer intervention programs: A randomized clinical trial.

“…The motivational discussion used in the IMP is a useful means to find these personal reasons for change. The IMP helps create self-determined goals and, as Lee et al (2014) point out, it is usually easier for people to change when they generate self-determined goals for change as opposed to an imposing external authority. As our results for the more advanced stage of changes of participants in the SBIP plus IMP condition suggest, the IMP appears to increase participants’ awareness and motivation to change.…”

“…BIPs that include confrontational approaches or action-based interventions such as CBT will probably fail to engage resistant participants with low readiness to change unless they include additional motivational strategies (Lehmann & Simmons, 2009). Moreover, most existing BIPs do not address participants’ personal needs and characteristics as a therapeutic strategy that may help to retain and motivate a highly resistant population (Langlands, Ward, & Gilchrist, 2009; Lee, Uken, & Sebold, 2014).…”

Self-Determined Goals of Male Participants Attending an Intervention Program for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators: A Thematic Analysis

“…A goal is defined as a relevant aim that motivates improved self-performance (Lee et al, 2007; Ryan, 1970). Self-determined goals can be seen as a “textbook” guide of desired states or situations that individuals strive to achieve or avoid (Lee et al, 2014; Ward, 2002). They are based on personal needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Deci & Ryan, 2000), and they lead to meaningful and satisfactory lives that are not conducive to perpetrating IPV (Langlands et al, 2009; Lila et al, 2018).…”