Publication Date

2015

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Violent offenders-Rehabilitation, Violent offenders-Mental health services, Family violence-Psychological aspects, Family violence-Prevention, Mixed methods research, Empirical, Interpersonal violence, Intimate partner violence, IPV, Batterers, Intervention program, Survey, Treatment, Mandated, Participants' opinions, Counseling, Partner-violent, Family-violent, Abuse, Rehabilitation, Psychodynamic, Client-centered, CBT, Directive, Non-directive, Therapy

Abstract

This study examines the preferences and opinions of partner- or family-violent adults in rehabilitative therapy and counseling. With the goal of informing and improving treatment approaches for this population, the study seeks to augment the current field of research, based primarily on external measures, with the voices and opinions of participants themselves. A convenience sample of 80 male and female participants at an urban social service agency in the U.S. was selected to complete the mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) survey. The survey consists of 5 demographic elements, and 38 questions (33 rating-scale and 5 shortanswer). The survey explored participants' opinions about: overall satisfaction, styles of therapeutic engagement, types of therapeutic interventions (directive, nondirective, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, etc.), aspects of the helping alliance, moments of change/growth, and other elements. Quantitative data was analyzed for trends within and across various survey items, and qualitative data was transcribed and coded to examine trends and themes therein. Findings indicated a strong correlation between satisfaction and the working alliance between participant and counselor, a slight preference for CBT and skills-based interventions, a preference for some psychodynamic and non-directive styles, higher satisfaction with longer-term participation, and no significant differences in satisfaction between mandated and non-mandated participants, among other insights into participants' experiences.

Language

English

Comments

v, 62 pages. Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, 2015. Includes bibliographical references (pages 44-48)

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