The Outcome of Participation in a Shelter-Sponsored Program for Men Who Batter

Abstract

This chapter presents the results of a project evaluating the efficacy of a shelter-sponsored intervention program for men who batter. The pro-gram is a 26-week, structured group intervention based on cognitive behavioral and feminist principles. The chapter examines the relative psychological impact of physical abuse, threats of physical abuse, and psychological abuse on the women. Because men who batter tend to underreport their abusive behavior, women's perceptions provide a more valid program outcome measure. The chapter describes a structured telephone interview questionnaire, which included demographic items, and questions about relationship history, a history of abuse, and individual and relationship functioning. It defines psychological abuse as those behaviors that do not constitute physical aggression or the threat of physical aggression, but nonetheless may harm the victim. In addition to documenting the favorable changes in physical aggression for a substantial number of participants, this study provides empirical evidence for the belief that psychological abuse is in itself harmful.

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