Author(s): Cunha, Olga ; Silva, Teresa ; Almeida, Telma Catarina ; Caridade, Sónia ; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa
Date: 2023
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/30660
Origin: Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
Subject(s): Self-esteem; Self-concept; Male Perpetrators; Intimate Partner Violence (IPV); Perpetrators Intervention Programs (PIPs).
Objectives: This study examines the effectiveness of a multimodal perpetrator intervention program (PIP) on intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators’ self-reported abusive behaviors, self-esteem, and self-concept. Methods: A sample of 53 male IPV perpetrators, both court- and self-referred to a community-based PIP, were assigned to one of two conditions: intervention condition (IC; n = 38) and waiting list control condition (WLCC; n = 15). Data on self-reported intimate violence, self-esteem, and self-concept were collected at baseline, post-test, and 6-month follow-up. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) was also computed. Results: A considerable percentage of IC participants end or substantially reduce their abusive behavior (reoffending self-reported rates were 10.7% at post-treatment and 12.5% at follow-up). IC participants increase self-esteem and self-concept. Changes were maintained at follow-up. Significant differences were found between the groups, with IC participants reporting reductions in abusive behaviors, scoring higher on self-esteem and self-concept, and revealing greater clinical changes than WLCC participants. Conclusions: These findings suggest that multimodal interventions improve self-esteem and self-concept and reduce IPV perpetration.
