The goal of this Exploratory/Development Grant for Mental Health Intervention Research (PA-99-134) is to develop, standardize, and pilot test an individual cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for partner violent men. To date, treatment interventions for partner violence perpetrators have been conducted almost exclusively in groups. Yet the efficacy of such treatments relative to no-treatment controls has not been consistently demonstrated. There are several reasons to believe that individual treatment may be more efficacious. The proposed ICBT approach will combine elements of motivational enhancement therapy with cognitive change and behavior change techniques designed to ameliorate core deficits identified in case-control studies of partner violent men. The motivational enhancement components of ICBT, adapted from the substance abuse field, will be emphasized in the early phase of treatment to facilitate client movement into the active stage of intentional behavior change. Treatment will then use CBT techniques, implemented within an individual case formulation, to improve coping skills for anger-arousing relationship situations and relationship communication and problem solving skills. The proposed project will take this basic outline of ICBT and develop it into a well-characterized and standardized approach, providing preliminary data to support future clinical trials. During phase 1, the treatment of pilot cases will be used along with extensive input from project consultants and project therapists to draft and refine an ICBT manual and treatment adherence measures. In phase 2, 60 partner violent men will be randomly assigned to receive either 16 sessions of ICBT or 16 sessions of treatment-as-usual (TAU) in a standard group protocol. Data on abusive behavior outcomes and secondary treatment targets will be gathered from clients and collateral relationship partners at quarterly intervals for one year after enrollment into the study. Analyses will address the main effects of ICBT versus TAU, and will explore potential mediators (e.g., homework compliance, therapeutic alliance) and moderators (e.g., psychopathology) of change.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21MH064562-03
Application #
6688932
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BBBP-5 (01))
Program Officer
Kozak, Michael J
Project Start
2002-01-07
Project End
2006-12-31
Budget Start
2004-01-01
Budget End
2006-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$170,592
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland Balt CO Campus
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
061364808
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21250