NCJ Number
210882
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 235-250
Date Published
April 2005
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study compared male and female perpetrators of intimate partner violence in terms of stages of change and processes of change for those individuals seeking battering intervention and prevention treatment.
Abstract
Recently, batterer treatment programs have applied the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change to clinical populations of male batterers, which suggests that change occurs as individuals move through five key stages: precontemplative, contemplative, preparation, action, and maintenance. To date, no studies have compared readiness to change violent behavior in women and men. The current study examined data on the stages and processes of change in a sample of 52 women attending a domestic violence intervention program designed for women, and compared it to data on 68 abusive men in the early stages of 2 batterer intervention programs in Texas. Participants completed questionnaires measuring stages of change, processes of change, aggression and violence, and emotional abuse. Results of statistical analyses indicated no gender differences for the stages and processes of change, except for the use of social liberation strategies among women. The findings suggest that the TTM approach may be effective for women in addition to men. Future research should adopt a longitudinal approach to determine if the stage of change of individuals entering treatment is related to successful treatment outcomes. Tables, figure, note, references