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Assessing the effectiveness of motivational strategies in intervention programs for intimate partner violence perpetrators: goal setting
Fri, September 13, 5:00 to 6:15pm, Faculty of Law, University of Bucharest, Floor: Ground floor, Amphitheater 3 „Mihail Eliescu”Abstract
Participants in intervention programs for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators often present significant challenges: high resistance, dropout rates, and low motivation to change. However, research has demonstrated that intervention programs incorporating motivational strategies tailored to the risk and needs of participants achieve better intervention outcomes. Among these strategies, goal setting has shown promising results. The objectives of the study were: to assess the differences between participants who set a goal and those who did not at intake in relation to sociodemographic variables (e.g, age, immigrant), proximal outcomes (e.g., stage of change), and final outcomes (e.g., risk of recidivism); and to assess the differences between both groups at the end of the intervention in proximal and final outcomes. The sample consisted of 349 men who attended an intervention program for IPV perpetrators between 2017 and 2022. Results showed that participants who set a goal at intake were younger, with a higher average annual income, and employed. They also reported higher levels of motivation to change their violent attitudes and behaviors towards women, a higher rate of self-reported physical violence, and were in a higher stage of change. After the intervention, participants who set a goal showed higher levels of motivation to change their violent attitudes and behaviors towards women, active participation, and attendance at group-based sessions. They were also in a higher stage of change and reported lower dropout rates. These results suggest that goal setting may be an effective motivational strategy for IPV perpetrators in intervention programs. It could help reduce resistance to the intervention and increase motivation to change and treatment adherence. Further research is needed to explore the impact of tailoring goal setting to participants risk factors and needs, as well as participants’ commitment to the change process on intervention outcomes.