Feasibility and acceptability of implementing an intimate partner violence and parenting group intervention in a community agency serving a high-risk community sample: A pilot study

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with several negative outcomes for victims and their children and is often considered a form of child maltreatment by child protection services (CPS). Despite this, there is a gap in the literature regarding IPV interventions for higher-risk families involved with CPS. This paper describes preliminary effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a parenting/IPV intervention provided to an underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged community sample of women, many of whom were referred by CPS. This group intervention was implemented within a community agency serving low-income families. Seventy-nine women participated in the intervention, 67 of whom also participated in the research component of the study. Participants completed self-report questionnaires at pre- and post-intervention to obtain quantitative measures of IPV, parenting, and mental health. Participants also completed a semi-structured interview to obtain qualitative data regarding acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Reduced depression (t (41) = 3.53, p <.01, d = 0.52), anxiety (t(41) = 2.70, p <.05, d = 0.39), and frequency of exposure to IPV (t(36) = 2.94, p <.01, d = 0.28) were observed from pre- to post-intervention. Qualitative data suggests participants found the intervention to be acceptable and feasible. Additionally, participants reported increased recognition of their own experiences with IPV and its impact on them, their parenting, and their children. Results suggest this intervention is feasible to implement and acceptable to participants and the community agency in which it was implemented. Future directions for research and program development are discussed.