Adopting a Stages of Change Approach for Individuals Who Are Violent With Their Intimate Partners (From Domestic Violence Offenders: Current Interventions, Research, and Implications for Policies and Standards, P 105-127, 2001, Robert A. Geffner and Alan Rosenbaum, eds. -- See NCJ-197536)

• NCJ Number: 197543
• Author(s): Audrey L. Begun; Gene Shelley; Terri Strodthoff; Lynn Short
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 23 pages
• Grant Number(s): U50/CCU511248-01
• Sponsoring Agency: Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Sale Source: Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The Stages of Change principles related to individuals' attempts to change problem behaviors provides a useful framework for examining the processes by which individuals may be able to eliminate violence against intimate partners.

Abstract

According to the Stages of Change principles, individuals progress through a series of stages while attempting to change their problem behaviors. Each stage is characterized by certain types of thoughts, beliefs, values, and attitudes toward the change process, as well as accompanying behaviors and change strategies. Prochaska et al., (1992) define five stages through which a person progresses in undergoing behavioral change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. At the "precontemplation" stage, the individual does not intend to change the behavior of concern and may appear for intervention solely because of outside pressures for change. Individuals in the "contemplation" stage recognize the problem and are seriously thinking about overcoming the particular problem, but have not yet made a concrete commitment to take action. "Preparation" is the stage in which the individual actively develops specific plans for making a change. "Action" is the stage most recognizable and most often researched, because it is marked by overt, observable change efforts and the adoption of change strategies. After a full 6 months of "action" without any recurrence of the undesired behavior, an individual has achieved the "maintenance" stage. "Maintenance" is characterized by efforts to sustain the behavioral changes beyond the action period and to avoid relapse. Many individuals repeat their cyclical and escalating patterns of intimate partner violence and abuse, despite sincere intentions to avoid becoming violent and abusive. With appropriately matched interventions, the relapsing individual should be able to progress to a point of maintenance once again. Intervention programs are likely to include individuals who have already cycled through the change process at least once. It is likely to benefit the individuals' change process if their prior experiences are addressed and properly framed. Based on the Stages of Change approach, this article suggests ways to enhance risk assessment, typologies and program matching, program evaluation, and the development of treatment standards. Some limitations and implications for the use of the Stages of Change approach to intervention with batterers are discussed. 57 references