Assessing men's readiness to engage in domestic violence treatment programmes (DVTPs) in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This multi-method research study analysed quantitative and qualitative data to better understand the factors associated with treatment readiness amongst domestically violent men and its association with completion/non-completion of domestic violence treatment programmes (DVTP) in Northern Ireland. The analysis of quantitative data did not establish any statistical significance for 12 independent variables and DVTP completion/non-completion outcomes. This finding was not expected and could not be explained. The qualitative analysis established associations between several variables and DVTP completion/non-completion, for 12 men participating in the Probation Board for Northern Ireland’s (PBNI) ‘Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme’. All of the men reported not being ready for I DAP participation and the majority felt frightened about participation. Despite the lack of treatment readiness six men completed the IDAP, but two completers continued to blame their victims for their violent behaviours. This finding highlights how completion of a DVTP does not guarantee positive change, a finding previously established (Feder et al. 2008). Outcomes for the twelve IDAP participants were influenced by the group dynamics of: universality; cohesion; and therapeutic factors; and whether participants ceased or continued to abuse alcohol or other mood-altering substances, for the duration of the IDAP. This study established that using an assessment of treatment readiness, as a criterion for IDAP participation, would have denied 11 men an opportunity to change their domestically violent behaviours. The assessment of treatment readiness, based upon participant narrative, would have been counterproductive. An assessment of domestically violent mens’ current substance abuse would be highly recommended.

Date of Award	Dec 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Northern Ireland Public Health Agency
Supervisor	John Devaney (Supervisor), Anne Lazenbatt (Supervisor) & Joe Duffy (Supervisor)