Treatment Experiences Among Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global and widespread public health issue. Knowledge on what promotes individual-level reductions in risk for IPV recidivism is limited. In order to explore how group therapy influences the ability to obtain and sustain change, the objectives were to explore how IPV perpetrators make sense of and think about their experiences of group therapy and what their experiences are regarding needs of treatment for IPV perpetration. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed with the qualitative method Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Two main themes were identified; “Experiences in group therapy” (subthemes: Ultimatum as a turning point; The guys as a powerful tool for change and Unfinished ending) and “Treatment needs” (subthemes: Violence as an addiction and Weakness as a strength). The findings highlight that group therapy is experienced positively, as well as difficulties that constitute obstacles, and need of further support after ending treatment.

Challenges to an Individualized Approach Toward Batterers Intervention Programs in the Context of Coordinated Community Response to the Intimate Partner Violence in Lithuania

“…According to recent research that examined a wide range of success indicators using innovative research methods, men demonstrated their ability to acknowledge and respect women's views by being more approachable, leaving space and time for her to speak, listening to her so she felt heard, and actively seeking her opinion (Kelly & Westmarland, 2015). BIP also improves the ability to understand, cope with, and express emotions in nonviolent ways (Arvidsson & Caman, 2022).…”