Predictors of Change among Male Batterers

Abstract

The efficacy of batterer treatment is a concern of clinicians, researchers, and policy makers. Most past research on batterer treatment has defined success as a cessation of men’s physical abuse against their intimate partner. Although clearly an important outcome, focus on assault leaves many questions unanswered about the broader impact of batterer treatment and the processes through which successful change may be promoted. With the aim of encouraging complexity in the consideration of change among batterers, the current article reviews studies that go beyond dichotomous outcomes. First, evidence for the success of batterer treatment is considered from multiple perspectives: men’s, women’s, and the intervention system. Next, an in-depth review of research on factors relating to change in abusive men is completed using feminist, family systems, individual, and typology theories as an organizing framework. Numerous recommendations are made for integrating theories of change with investigations of treatment success in future work.