NCJ Number
171114
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1997) Pages: 365-387
Date Published
1997
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Demographic factors and levels of psychological and physical aggression were assessed as predictors of dropout for individuals who participated in a group treatment program for maritally discordant couples reporting husband-to-wife physical aggression; in addition, follow-up assessments with dropouts were conducted to identify client reasons for termination.
Abstract
The study sample included 70 married couples seeking therapy for relationship conflict. Couples were married an average of 9 years and were assigned to a conjoint or a gender-specific treatment group. Both formats targeted the elimination of partner violence, primarily husband to wife, in aggression. The conjoint intervention was based on family systems and social learning models, while the gender-specific intervention was based on an etiological model that conceptualized spouse aggression as a form of male domination over women. Findings indicated that demographic variables and levels of physical aggression did not predict dropout from treatment, although higher levels of psychological aggression did. Most frequently cited reasons for dropout concerned treatment-related issues. Specifically, clients reported the group format did not enable them to address individual couple issues. Regarding future treatment planning, findings suggest that individual treatment sessions may be warranted in cases where men are severely psychologically abusive, that psychological aggression of both men and women should be targeted, and that treatment programs should provide more personalized attention to each couple. 59 references and 3 tables