NCJ Number
149335
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1994) Pages: 278-285
Date Published
1994
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Male abusers attending a 6-month outpatient domestic abuse treatment program in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and their female partners completed measures of powerlessness and tolerance for being controlled, both before and after treatment.
Abstract
Twenty-six males completed the treatment program, and 18 had female partners who completed before and after treatment measures. The treatment program consisted of 24 weekly sessions lasting 2.5 hours each; the average treatment group included eight persons. Males were required to describe their abusive behavior and identify alternative behavior. Before treatment, both men and women felt powerless. Men had a very low tolerance for being controlled, while women tolerated moderate amounts of control. Men and women accurately perceived that tolerance of their partners for being controlled. Women perceived men to be more powerful than men perceived themselves. Treatment did not decrease the powerlessness of abusers or increase their tolerance for being controlled. The most noteworthy indication of a change due to treatment was a somewhat greater similarity between male and female perceptions of male powerlessness after treatment. The authors speculate that group treatment emphasizing shame reduction may help men acknowledge their powerlessness more openly and help them move toward decreasing control of their partners. 10 references