Family Violence: Effects of a Film Program for Alcohol Dependent Persons

Abstract

A film program on family violence was compared experimentally with a film program on alcoholism, in an alcohol rehabilitation program. Seventy-seven patients were evaluated for their reactions to the two film programs. The film program on family violence increased patients' estimations of the importance of that problem, and their expectations that the problem can be reduced or eliminated. Contrary to predictions, the film program on family violence did not increase patients' identification and reporting of episodes of violence, on posttest questionnaires. This last result was discussed in terms of possible resistance of patients to acknowledging violence in the home, and a possible lower than expected incidence of family violence in the alcohol dependent population. A majority of patients rated the film program on family violence very highly, indicating a need for such interventions in alcohol rehabilitation. Suggestions were made for future research on the incidence of family violence in alcohol dependent populations.