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Publication Date
2010
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
School for Social Work
Keywords
Yalom, Irvin D., 1931-, Abusive men-Rehabilitation, Abusive men-Counseling of, Group psychotherapy, Social groups-Psychological aspects, Defense mechanisms (Psychology), Batterer, Treatment, Domestic violence, Group therapy, Yalom
Abstract
Domestic violence is an intractable problem, the treatment of which has stymied practioners from multiple disciplines. Research within psychology, criminal justice, and social work indicates that batterer treatment shows inconsistent outcomes. This qualitative study addresses two questions minimally addressed in the literature: How do mandated batterer treatment groups change the maturity of psychological defense mechanisms? What group dynamics emerge in offender treatment that are unique to this population? This study analyzed the individual and group processes that occurred during a treatment cycle for domestic violence perpetrators. Analysis of the group transcripts assessed batterers' psychological defense mechanisms, ego functioning, and the degree to which these groups followed Yalom's theory regarding the curative nature of group therapy. Significant findings included identification of factors within the clinical milieu that impeded progress, psychological themes that triggered use of low-level defenses, and pathological group dynamics that created a counter-therapeutic effect.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Sullivan, Rosemary, "A different kind of fantasy : group dynamics and psychological change in male batterers" (2010). Dissertation, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/386
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Comments
iii, 175 p. : ill. Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-166)