Citation

O'Leary KD. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2002; 5(2): 145-164.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J146v05n02_09

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Debates have appeared in professional journals and conferences about which interventions/treatments are appropriate and effective for men and women in physically aggressive relationships. Gender specific and conjoint treatments have been the most frequently discussed interventions, and they are the focus of this review. At present, there is a need to recognize that physical aggression in intimate relationships is very common, especially in young individuals, and that the very commonly observed physical aggression in young people has different causes than the severe, longstanding aggression that engenders fear in women. It is also important to recognize that whatever the intervention, a therapist needs to be concerned about safety planning. Finally, given that there is increasing recognition of different types of partner abuse and causes thereof, it is time to address the need for multiple interventions in certain cases, e.g., gender specific, conjoint, substance abuse. Arguments and data are presented regarding the circumstances in which conjoint treatment is associated with marked reductions in psychological and physical aggression.