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Contents
- Abstract
- Theoretical Framework of Batterers Intervention Programs
- Effectiveness of Batterers Intervention Programs
- Principles of Effective Intervention
- A New Approach
- The Present Study
- Method
- Participants and Procedure
- Treatment Conditions
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- The Duluth Model’s Men’s Nonviolence Classes (Duluth)
- Victim Participants and Procedure
- Data Collection
- Victim Reports
- Conflict Tactics Scale-2 (Straus et al., 1996)
- Controlling Behaviors Scale (Graham–Kevan & Archer, 2003)
- The Stalking Behavior Checklist (Coleman, 1997)
- Administrative Data
- Treatment Adherence and Facilitator Competence
- Data Diagnostics and Analysis Plan
- Results
- Treatment Attrition and Missing Data
- Treatment Adherence and Competence
- Criminal Justice Outcomes
- Victim Reported Outcomes
- Discussion
- Clinical Implications
- Limitations
- Summary and Future Directions
Figures and Tables
Abstract
Objective: This is the first randomized controlled trial to compare Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with the Duluth Model curriculum, which took place in community-based corrections for the treatment of men convicted of domestic violence. ACT is a third-wave cognitive–behavioral approach that utilizes experiential methods to foster psychological flexibility. The Duluth Model curriculum is an educational approach grounded in feminist theory that focuses on changing attitudes toward women and unlearning power and control motivations. This trial was preregistered at ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT03609801). Method: This study included 338 men who were court-mandated to complete a domestic violence program after being convicted of assault against a female partner. Participants were randomized to complete the 24 sessions of the ACT program or the Duluth Model Men’s Nonviolence Classes. Outcomes included criminal justice data (domestic violence charges, other violent charges, and nonviolent charges) incurred during the 1 year following program dropout or completion, and victim reports of intimate partner violence (IPV; aggression, controlling behaviors, and stalking/harassment). Results: In intent-to-treat comparisons to Duluth, ACT participants did not show a difference in domestic assault charges at 1 year posttreatment (p = .44). ACT participants acquired significantly fewer violent charges (p = .04) and nonviolent charges (p = .02) compared to Duluth participants. Data from victims indicated that victims of ACT participants reported significantly fewer IPV behaviors than victims of Duluth participants on the Conflict Tactics Scale (d = .78), the Controlling Behaviors Scale (d =...