Anger disturbances among perpetrators of intimate partner violence: clinical characteristics and outcomes of court-mandated treatment

J Interpers Violence. 2008 Nov;23(11):1600-17. doi: 10.1177/0886260508314322. Epub 2008 Mar 31.

Abstract

In the present study, the authors clustered a pretreatment sample of 190 perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) mandated to attend group counseling based on State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory scores and examined whether these profiles were associated with differential outcomes 1 year postadjudication. Cluster analysis revealed 3 groups: (a) high anger-expressive (HA-E, n = 56), (b) moderate anger-inexpressive (MA-IE; n = 13), and (c) low anger (LA; n = 118). HA-E men perpetrated more IPV, reported experiencing and witnessing more abuse during childhood, scored higher on psychopathology measures, and reported more substance problems. HA-E and MA-IE males had higher program attrition and rearrest rates; MA-IE males were more likely to be arrested for assault-related offenses. Thus, although the majority of partner-abusive men do not present with anger-related disturbances, the presence of anger problems may be a marker for an array of traits that may complicate the treatment process.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anger*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Counseling / methods
  • Crime Victims / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / rehabilitation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sexual Partners / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Spouse Abuse / prevention & control
  • Spouse Abuse / rehabilitation*