The effectiveness of intervention programs for perpetrators of intimate partner violence with substance abuse and/or mental disorders: a systematic review

• Published in: Trauma, violence & abuse violence & abuse, 2024-12, Vol.25 (5), p.1-16
• Main Authors: Sousa, Marta, Andrade, Joana, Rodrigues, Andreia de Castro, Caridade, Sónia Maria Martins, Cunha, Olga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggression; Alcohol and drugs; Ciências Sociais; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - methods; Domestic violence; Drug abuse; Effectiveness; Female; Humans; Igualdade de género; Intervention; Intervention program; Interviews; Intimate partner violence; Intimate Partner Violence - prevention & control; Intimate Partner Violence - psychology; Male; Mental and drugs; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - psychology; Mental Disorders - therapy; Mental health; Motivation; Motivational Interviewing - methods; Organizational effectiveness; Perpetrators; Psicologia; Psychotherapy; Review Manuscripts; Substance abuse; Substance use; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Substance-Related Disorders - therapy; Systematic review; Violence
• ISSN: 1524-8380; 1552-8324; 1552-8324
• DOI: 10.1177/15248380241270063

First published online August 24, 2024 Despite the high prevalence and severity of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among men with mental health (MH) problems and substance use (SU), there is limited evidence on the most effective ways to reduce IPV within these groups. Hence, the present systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions for male IPV perpetrators with MH issues and SU problems. Five databases (B-On, Pubmed PsycInfo, Science Direct, and Scopus) were searched for studies examining the effectiveness of IPV interventions. Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, with 13 interventions described. Interventions were grouped into (1) specific interventions for SU among IPV perpetrators (k = 8), (2) nonspecific interventions for SU among IPV perpetrators (K = 3), and (3) specific interventions targeting MH among IPV perpetrators (k = 2). Cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing techniques were the most common approaches. Both specific and nonspecific programs addressing SU problems showed some positive effects on perpetrators’ behavior and attitudes. However, data from the two intervention programs focusing on MH showed reduced symptoms and re-assaults but without significant differences between the conditions. Despite methodological shortcomings in the studies, the specific and nonspecific interventions targeting SU and IPV show promise, which hinders drawing firmer conclusions. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to deepen our understanding of the MH impact interventions on IPV perpetrators. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology— FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education), under the grant UIDB/05380/2020 and with national funds from FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P., in the context of the project UID/04810/2020, DOI: 10.54499/ UIDB/04810/2020 and 10.54499/UIDP/04810/2020. This work was also conducted at CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT; UID/01662/2020) through the Portuguese State Budget. M.S. was funded by a Doctoral research grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, grant number 2020.06634.BD. J.A. was funded by a Doctoral research grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Sc