Change Among Batterers

Abstract

This study identified variables related to change in abusive behavior though qualitative analyses of interviews with nine reformed batterers. Interviewed men had attended a median of 35 interventions sessions at a feminist-oriented group treatment program and were identified by their counselors and partners as having made significant changes in their behavior. Hour-long semistructured interviews focused on understanding men's change were analyzed with a set of 28 a priori–specified codes based on theoretical understandings of change in abusive behavior. Four variables were found to contribute to change for more than 75% of the men: increased responsibility for their past abusive behavior, development of empathy for their partners' victimization, reduced dependency on their partners, and increased communication skills. The implications of these findings for future theoretical and empirical work are discussed.