Taking Responsibility: Psychological and Attitudinal Change through a Domestic Violence Intervention Program in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Literature widely reports the negative impacts of domestic violence at individual, family, and societal levels. Intervention programs that effectively assist violent men to develop alternate ways of relating, and thus enhance the safety of women and children, are of significant value to governments and the community. This study evaluates the effectiveness of one such program in promoting change in relevant attitudes and psychological constructs. Program participants completed pre-and post-group surveys containing validated scales that measured their gender equity beliefs, self-esteem, mastery, and psychological distress. Over the duration of program attendance, positive changes were evident regarding men's self-esteem, mastery, and psychological distress, however, no significant change in gender equity beliefs was apparent. The positive changes evident amongst participants indicate beneficial outcomes from group work participati on in areas that have been identified as risk factors for violent behaviour. The results also suggest that intervention programs would benefit from an increased focus on gender equity beliefs, and that further research is necessary on the extent to which this focus could improve attitudes, and consequently promote safety for women and children.

Rapid Review of Men’s Behavior Change Programs

“…All articles received overall weak ratings (Ashburn et al, 2017; Blatch et al, 2016; Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Carbajosa, Catalá-Miñana, et al, 2017; Connors et al, 2013; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Gray, Lewis et al, 2014; Kelly & Westmarland, 2015; Lila et al, 2018; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013). Eight articles had weak study designs (Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Connors et al, 2013; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Gray, Lewis, et al, 2014; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013), 12 articles had weak selection biases (Ashburn et al, 2017; Blatch et al, 2016; Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Carbajosa, Catalá-Miñana, et al, 2017; Connors et al, 2013; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Gray, Lewis, et al, 2014; Kelly & Westmarland, 2015; Lila et al, 2018; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013), and none of the articles mentioned confounders (Ashburn et al, 2017; Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Connors et al, 2013; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Gray, Lewis, et al, 2014; Kelly & Westmarland, 2015; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013). Data collection methods for six of the articles were strong, reporting the use of valid and reliable measures (Ashburn et al, 2017<...>…”

“…Eight articles had weak study designs (Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Connors et al, 2013; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Gray, Lewis, et al, 2014; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013), 12 articles had weak selection biases (Ashburn et al, 2017; Blatch et al, 2016; Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Carbajosa, Catalá-Miñana, et al, 2017; Connors et al, 2013; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Gray, Lewis, et al, 2014; Kelly & Westmarland, 2015; Lila et al, 2018; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013), and none of the articles mentioned confounders (Ashburn et al, 2017; Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Connors et al, 2013; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Gray, Lewis, et al, 2014; Kelly & Westmarland, 2015; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013). Data collection methods for six of the articles were strong, reporting the use of valid and reliable measures (Ashburn et al, 2017; Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Carbajosa, Catalá-Miñana, et al, 2017; Lila et al, 2018; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013). Four articles had strong reporting of withdrawals and dropouts (Ashburn et al, 2017; Carbajosa, Catalá-Miñana, et al, 2017; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013).…”

“…Nine interventions provided information about the content of the programs, including motivation (Lila et al, 2018; Semiatin et al, 2013), improving relationships (Blatch et al, 2016; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Semiatin et al, 2013), communication skills (Ashburn et al, 2017; Blatch et al, 2016; Lila et al, 2018; Love et al, 2015; Semiatin et al, 2013), awareness and education (Connors et al, 2013), thinking skills (Connors et al, 2013), emotion management (Blatch et al, 2016; Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Connors et al, 2013; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Gray, Lewis, et al, 2014; Lila et al, 2018), social skills (Connors et al, 2013), parenting (Ashburn et al, 2017; Connors et al, 2013), power and control (Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Love et al, 2015), beliefs (Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014), impact of family violence (Blatch, et al, 2016; Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014), behavior (Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014; Love et al, 2015), mindfulness (Broady, Gray, & Gaffney, 2014; Broady, Gray, Gaffney, & Lewis, 2015; Gray, Broady, Gaffney, Lewis, & Mokany, 2014), conflict (Blatch et al, 2016; Love et al, 2015), coping strategies (Love et al, 2015)...…”

From Intentions to Implementation: Improving Alignment between Domestic and Family Violence Policy Aims and Actions

“…Changing the behaviour of perpetrators is crucial if we are to prevent domestic and family violence and ensure the safety of women now and in the long-term. The provision of dedicated support for perpetrators is therefore imperative, particularly as culture is not the only factor at play in motivating violent behaviour; past trauma, mental health issues, substance abuse, and financial stress are but a few factors that can also play important roles (Broady & Gray, 2017). While these by no means excuse the perpetrator's behaviour, they must nonetheless be seriously considered and addressed if we are to create the conditions necessary for perpetrators to change.…”

A ‘dark side’ of religion?' - Associations between religious involvement, identity and domestic violence determinants

“…Domestic violence has profound short term and long term effects for individuals that persist long after violence has ceased, including acute and serious injuries, long term health problems and chronic pain, sexual and reproductive health conditions, depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidality, alcohol and substance misuse, and even death (World Health Organization, 2013). Gender equity beliefs and practices at both individual and systemic levels are major drivers of domestic violence, with norms and attitudes that privilege men over women and that reinforce hierarchical gender roles considered key determinants (Broady et al, 2014;Davis & Greenstein, 2009;Flood, 2020;Golden et al, 2013;Heise & Kotsadam, 2015). A recent systematic review also identified that greater gender equality has a positive effect on male and female health outcomes more broadly (King et al, 2020).…”