Treatment effectiveness for male intimate partner violence perpetrators depending on problematic alcohol use

Sandra Siria,Javier Fernández-Montalvo,Josean Echauri,Juana Azkárate,María Martínez,Laiene Olabarrieta,Diego Rivera

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109301

Abstract

BackgroundProblematic alcohol use (PAU) is highly correlated with intimate partner violence perpetration (IPV). However, when treatments for male IPV perpetrators that address alcohol consumption are evaluated, the results are varied. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to assess the differential long-term effectiveness of a standard individual treatment programme for male IPV perpetrators depending on the presence of PAU. MethodsThe sample was composed of 641 male IPV perpetrators who completed a specialized individual treatment programme for gender violence perpetrators. All of the participants were followed for one year after treatment completion. ResultsThe effects of PAU on treatment success were evaluated by means of multiple logistic regression analyses. The full model was reliable (χ2 = 10.243; df = 3; p = .016), and overall, 88.8% of the predictions were accurate. The findings indicated that the probability of successful treatment does not depend on the presence of PAU. ConclusionsThe relationship between IPV perpetration and PAU is highly complex, and several underlying mechanisms should be further evaluated. Accordingly, interventions should not only screen for alcohol consumption but also for all individual characteristics that might necessitate tailored treatment.

Highlights

One of the most assessed correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration is alcohol consumption, which in recent years has had an impact on the design of integrated treatments (Easton et al, 2018; Fernandez-Montalvo et al, 2019)
The findings show that this individual intervention had the same ther apeutic outcomes for male intimate partner violence perpetration (IPV) perpetrators with and without Problematic alcohol use (PAU)
Other authors have found a reduction in alcohol con sumption among IPV perpetrators with PAU after completing general treatment, the reduction in IPV perpetration did not show differences between perpetrators with and without PAU (Lila et al, 2020)

Summary

Introduction

One of the most assessed correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration is alcohol consumption, which in recent years has had an impact on the design of integrated treatments (Easton et al, 2018; Fernandez-Montalvo et al, 2019). Alcohol use can increase both the frequency and the severity of IPV (Cafferky et al, 2018; Leonard and Quigley, 2017; Romero-Martínez et al, 2016) Compared to those without problematic alcohol consumption, IPV perpetrators with PAU have more psychopathological symptoms and personality disorders, more distorted thoughts about women, a higher prevalence of childhood family violence, less anger control, and less social and com munity support (Catala-Minana, Lila, and Oliver, 2013; Exposi to-Alvarez et al, 2021; Siria et al, 2021). The main goal of this study was to assess the differential long-term effectiveness of a standard individual treatment programme for male IPV perpetrators depending on the presence of PAU. Interventions should screen for alcohol con sumption and for all individual characteristics that might necessitate tailored treatment

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion