Abstract
Research assessing the effectiveness of intervention programs for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators has increased considerably in recent years. However, most of it has been focused on the analysis of psychological domains, neglecting neuropsychological variables and the effects of alcohol consumption on these variables. This study evaluated potential neuropsychological changes (emotional decoding, perspective taking, emotional empathy and cognitive flexibility) and their relationship with alcohol consumption in a mandatory intervention program for IPV perpetrators, as well as how these variables affect the risk of IPV recidivism. The sample was composed of 116 individuals with high alcohol (n = 55; HA) and low alcohol (n = 61; LA) consumption according to self-report screening measures who received treatment in a IPV perpetrator intervention program developed in Valencia (Spain). IPV perpetrators with HA consumption were less accurate in decoding emotional facial signals and adopting others’ perspective, and less cognitively flexible than those with LA consumption before the IPV intervention. Further, the effectiveness of the intervention program was demonstrated, with increases being observed in cognitive empathy (emotional decoding and perspective taking) and in cognitive flexibility. Nevertheless, the HA group showed a smaller improvement in these skills and higher risk of IPV recidivism than the LA group. Moreover, improvement in these skills was related to a lower risk of IPV recidivism. The study provides guidance on the targeting of cognitive domains, which are key factors for reducing IPV recidivism.
Highlights
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical issue, which at some point in their lives affects around30% of women across different populations [1]
There were differences between groups in presence of physical IPV before the implementation of Intervention program χ2 (1) = 4.82, p = 0.028, with more individuals of the high alcohol (HA) group being reported for evidence of physical IPV than in IPV perpetrators of low alcohol (LA) group
“group” effect was found in MCMI-III Desirability scores, t(114) = ́2.74, p = 0.000, d = 0.51, with lower social desirability scores being obtained in the HA than the LA group
Summary
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical issue, which at some point in their lives affects around. 30% of women across different populations [1]. Given the high prevalence of IPV and the serious consequences for victims of this kind of abuse [2], extensive research has been focused on interventions for the affected women. It is necessary to analyze the perpetrators of IPV to attempt to develop effective intervention programs for them and to prevent this type of violence [3]. It is critical to examine the effectiveness of attempts to rehabilitate IPV offenders to prevent recurrent abuse, and protect victims. The effectiveness of intervention programs for IPV perpetrators depends on generating changes in IPV perpetrators and thereby preventing violence in their current and future relationships [4].
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