Short-term treatment response, attrition and recidivism in a partner-violent men typology compared with a control group

The goal of this study is to analyze the short-term effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral treatment program in a sample of partner violent men, compared to a waiting-list control group. The sample consists of 347 men: 303 in the experimental group -divided into three subtypes according to the level of partner violence and the presence of psychopathology- and 44 in the control group. The dropout rate was 12.2%. Results reveal greater reduction of the levels of self-reported violence in all three subtypes, compared to the control group. Regarding police recidivism, the experimental group subtypes obtain better results than the control group. Lastly, higher level of justification of violent partner behavior after participating in the program and having attended fewer therapy sessions, predict higher levels of recidivism. Results highlight the benefit of participating in the treatment program, and the need to adapt programs to participants’ characteristics.