Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Regulation Within Black Men in Batterer Intervention Programs

• In Event: Poster Session 1

Abstract

This study addresses a critical gap in understanding IPV among Black men in batterer intervention programs. Current programs lack a comprehensive grasp of emotional dysregulation and racial trauma experienced by African American offenders, contributing to higher dropout and re-arrest rates. This research proposes integrating a trauma-informed approach, specifically Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), to address emotion dysregulation and racial trauma. DBT, designed for suicidal individuals, could offer a solution. The study, set in a Washington, D.C. batterer intervention program, adopts a mixed-methods approach to explore the influence of race, discrimination, masculinity, culturally responsive DBT, and problem-solving skills on IPV perpetration. Theoretical frameworks include the Invisibility Syndrome, focusing on emotional turmoil from racial prejudice, and Black Feminist Thought, emphasizing accountability in Black men's treatment of Black women. By shedding light on Black men's experiences with IPV and racial trauma, this research contributes to more effective and culturally responsive intervention programs, aiming for a nuanced understanding of their stories and the potential of DBT to reduce IPV perpetration and recidivism.

Author

• Chelsea Hood, Howard University