The ability of a motivational pre-group session to enhance readiness for change in men who have engaged in domestic violence. (therapy, client attrition)

A pre-therapy group for men who have engaged in domestic violence is described. The format of the group implements suggestions from the literature describing the effectiveness of preparing clients for therapy in reducing client attrition. Elements of the transtheoretical model developed by Prochaska and DiClemente are also incorporated into this approach. These elements are supplemented by suggestions provided by Miller's Motivational Interviewing procedures originally developed for work with addictive behaviors. Eighty-three clients of a local agency that works with perpetrators of domestic violence were randomly assigned to either a one session pre-therapy group or an extra session of a psychoeducational group dealing with elimination of violence in intimate relationships. One set of data analyses looked at differences between the two randomly assigned groups. Participants completed measures at three points during the program: (1) during the initial intake session (Pre), (2) following the first group session (Post-1), and (3) upon completion of the psychoeducational program (Post-2). It was hypothesized that men who attended the pre-therapy session would be less likely to drop out of the program. It was also hypothesized that the pre-therapy group attendees would be more active in-group and be more likely to take action to change their behavior. Modest support was found when looking at the effect of the motivational group to affect proximal change (i.e. changes between Pre and Post-1). No significant differences were found on more distal measures of change: there were no between group differences noted in either attendance, participation, or likelihood of graduation. A second set of analyses looked at the role of individual differences between participants in predicting program participation and completion. An attempt was made to develop a multiple regression model using these individual difference variables to predict changes over time on program criterion variables. There were some modest correlational relationships between individual differences and measures of program participation and completion. The multiple regression modeling did not add substantially to the information provided by the initial correlational analysis. Overall, it appears that the transtheoretical model of change is applicable to work with perpetrators of criminal domestic violence. Limitations of the present study and suggestions for future research are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)