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Moderators of Response to Motivational Interviewing for Partner-violent Men

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Abstract

Careful attention to motivation for change may enhance the effects of interventions for partner-violent men. The present study tested predictions about differential response to a two-session motivational intake (MI) for partner-violent men, which was compared to a structured intake (SI) control. For those who were initially reluctant to change, MI produced greater forward movement in stage of change. For those who claimed to have already solved their problems with partner abuse, MI produced greater backward movement in stage of change and greater homework compliance in subsequent group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). MI led to a stronger collaborative working alliance for those high in contemplation of change, and greater group session attendance for those with high trait anger. Contrary to hypotheses, analyses of post-CBT partner assault revealed a differentially greater benefit of MI for participants with lower levels of pretreatment contemplation and trait anger. The findings provide qualified support for the expectation that MI has the greatest beneficial effects on those who appear initially reluctant to change.

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Notes

  1. In both intake conditions, participants who met screening criteria for likely substance dependence were referred for further evaluation at a local addiction treatment program. However, this referral in no way disqualified them from participating in the current study or in ongoing services for IPV. Individuals who failed to comply with the referral to addiction services remained free to attend CBT group sessions, but could not receive notification of satisfactory IPV program completion (for legal referring sources) until they completed an evaluation for addiction services. This relatively lenient referral process was instituted in order to examine MI effects on uptake of outside services absent immediate coercion. In fact, outside service use was found to be significantly greater among those who received MI than those who received SI, although these tests did not distinguish substance use services from other types of counseling and therapy (Musser et al., 2008).

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Acknowledgment

This project was supported by grants from the Directed Research Initiative Fund of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the National Institute of Mental Health (1RO3MH56373) to the first author and an Individual National Research Service Award to the fifth author from the National Institute of Mental Health (1F31MH12234). The authors gratefully acknowledge the therapists who conducted motivational interviewing and CBT groups during the period of this investigation and the generous support of the agency staff at the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, MD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA

    Christopher M. Murphy, Erin L. Linehan, Jacqueline C. Reyner & Peter H. Musser

  2. VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Casey T. Taft

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  1. Christopher M. Murphy
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  2. Erin L. Linehan
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  3. Jacqueline C. Reyner
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  4. Peter H. Musser
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  5. Casey T. Taft
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Correspondence to Christopher M. Murphy.

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Murphy, C.M., Linehan, E.L., Reyner, J.C. et al. Moderators of Response to Motivational Interviewing for Partner-violent Men. J Fam Viol 27, 671–680 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9460-2

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