Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Education

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Dr. Peter Jaffe

2nd Supervisor

Dr. Katreena Scott

Co-Supervisor

Abstract

The present study Investigated self-report behaviours among male batterers. It was predicted that batterers who acknowledged their abusive behaviour would be more likely to benefit and progress in the batterer intervention program as reflected by the counselor reports. Furthermore, this study hypothesized that there may be a specific impact of batterers’ acknowledgement of their children’s witnessing of the domestic violence, with those who acknowledged child witnessing tending to have better program outcomes than men who deny their children’s involvement. Results based on a review of 101 DV cases provided by a community agency delivering treatment for domestic violence populations was examined. It indicated that batterers that acknowledged their abusive behaviour performed better in the intervention program than batterers who did not acknowledge the impact of DV. Furthermore, batterers with lower performance ratings used higher levels of minimization, denial and blaming in their self-reports. Similarly, men who acknowledged the presence of their child-(ren) at the DV incident received significantly higher ratings of treatment outcomes than men who did not acknowledge. Implications for clinical practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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