Treatment of Assaultiveness

Abstract

Summary Assaultiveness and abusiveness have a psychology that must be addressed in therapy; they are not merely the product of “bad attitudes” or social roles, nor can they be narrowly defined as the robotic imitation of action. Perceptions and feelings about the world of intimate relationships both sustain and are sustained by abusive actions. These provide points of intervention for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Given the tendency to shame easily, abusive men must not be confronted too quickly or too strongly. On the other hand, given their well-established denial system and tendency to minimize the consequences of their abusiveness, some confrontation must occur. Hence a “Zen” line of least resistance must be found between the opposites of acceptance and confrontation. Treatment outcome studies indicate moderate success for cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for batterers. Treatment is less successful with men who have personality disorders, especially psychopathy.