Abstract
BackgroundWe aimed to establish what core elements were required in a group therapy programme for men who disclose perpetrating intimate partner abuse in a substance use setting and develop, and test the feasibility of delivering an intervention in this setting.MethodsWe describe the theoretical development and feasibility testing of an integrated substance use and intimate partner abuse intervention (‘ADVANCE’) for delivery in substance use services. We employed a comprehensive eight-stage process to guide this development applying the ‘COM-B’ (‘capability’, ‘opportunity’, ‘motivation’ and ‘behaviour’) model for intervention design which specifies the following: (1) define the problem, (2) select the target behaviour, (3) specify the target behaviour, (4) identify what needs to change, (5) identify intervention functions, (6) identify policy categories, (7) select behaviour change techniques, and (8) design a mode of delivery. The development was informed by primary research conducted by the authors, consulting with organisation steering groups and by those with personal experiences. The identified targets for intervention and mode and method of delivery were then refined over 4 intervention development meetings, using the nominal group technique with the ADVANCE experts, then further refined following consultation with service user groups and wider expert groups via a learning alliance meetings.ResultsOur final intervention, the ADVANCE intervention consisted of a group intervention comprising of up to four pre-group individual interviews, followed by 12 × 2-h group sessions supported by integrated safety work for victim/survivors, and risk and safety support and integrity support for the professionals. The main targets for change were personal goal planning, self-regulation, and attitudes and beliefs supporting intimate partner abuse. The intervention was regarded as very acceptable to both staff and clients in substance use services, with group attendees reported positive behaviour changes and development of new skills.ConclusionWe have demonstrated the ability to employ a structured eight-step process to develop an integrated intervention to address substance use-related intimate partner abuse that is acceptable to staff and clients in substance use services. This led to a feasibility study (ISRCTN 79435190) involving 104 men and 30 staff at three different locations across the UK was conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and to refine the content and approach to delivery (BMC Public Health, 21: 980, 2021).
Highlights
Intimate partner abuse (IPA) or violence (IPV)1 refers to any behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm, and includes physical violence and emotional and psychological abuse and controlling behaviours [70]
Materials and processes We based the development of the ADVANCE intervention on existing research and systematic reviews conducted by the authors including a systematic review of IPA interventions for perpetrators who used substances [61], a meta-ethnography of qualitative studies investigating the role of substance use and IPA [25], and interviews with couple dyads [22, 55]
Step 1: Define the problem As we have shown, there is a lack of targeted effective interventions to reduce or stop IPA among male perpetrators receiving treatment for substance use
Summary
Background Intimate partner abuse (IPA) or violence (IPV) refers to any behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm, and includes physical violence and emotional and psychological abuse and controlling behaviours [70]. IPA is a prevalent global public health problem with severe consequences for victims and family members exposed to the violence and abuse [64]. Many factors are associated with the perpetration of IPA [21] with the consensus that there is no single factor that explains why some men may perpetrate IPA and not others. These factors impact at individual, community, and systemic levels [60]. We aimed to establish what core elements were required in a group therapy programme for men who disclose perpetrating intimate partner abuse in a substance use setting and develop, and test the feasibility of delivering an intervention in this setting
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