Citation

Scott KL, Wolfe DA. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 2003; 71(5): 879-889.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, ON, Canada. kscott@oise.utoronto.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0022-006X.71.5.879

PMID

14516236

Abstract

The current study examined stage of change as a predictor of outcome in batterer treatment. Men (N=119) were classified into the transtheoretical model's stages of change and assessed 3 times over treatment. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed significant variation in men's progress, predictable from their stage of change. As hypothesized, men in the precontemplation stage showed little positive change in empathy, communication, or abusive behavior, whereas men in the contemplation and action stages showed positive growth in all of these domains. These effects occurred in the initial 10 weeks of treatment, after which men progressed at a more homogeneous rate. Interpretation is complicated by pretreatment differences that draw into question stage-related patterns in final outcome. Implications for general models of abuse cessation and for stage-specific trajectories are discussed.

Language: en