Short motivational program for perpetrators of intimate partner violence: a feasibility study

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the short-term effects of the Short Motivational Program (SMP) in increasing motivation to change on intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators and to analyse its suitability and acceptability. Ten male IPV perpetrators sentenced to prison, aged between 26 and 64 years (M = 47.8; SD = 13.2), participated in the SMP. Baseline and post-test measures of recidivism risk, attitudes supporting IPV, and psychopathy were collected. The SMP revealed positive results, with participants showing a slight decrease in supportive IPV attitudes and IPV recidivism risk. The results of this study reinforce the need to implement motivational interviewing techniques among IPV perpetrators in order to achieve positive change in perpetrators and prevent future aggressive behaviour and reoffending. Future well-powered studies using a rigorous controlled design are also warranted.