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Table 1 Characteristics of randomized controlled trials examining the effect of cognitive behaviour group therapy

From: Cognitive behavioural group therapy for male perpetrators of intimate partner violence: a systematic review

Study, year, country

Setting

Population (N, mean age)

Intervention

Control condition

Outcome definition

Length of follow-up

Results: primary outcome

Alexander et al. [26], 2010,

United States

Community setting serving victims and perpetrators of domestic violence

Male perpetrators (96.1% court-ordered) (N = 528, mean age 34.18 years)

Motivational Interviewing combined with Cognitive behavioural group therapy (SOCMI) 26 weeks

Cognitive behavioural group therapy (gender re-education), 26 weeks

CTS2, (psychological and physical aggression)

Perpetrator performed self-reports at 26 weeks’ post-treatment. Partner assessments were performed at 6 and 12 months

No changes in self-reported violence. Significant reductions in partner reports of physical violence at follow-up in the SOCMI group

Murphy et al. [28], 2017, United States

A community-based domestic violence agency

Male perpetrators (N = 42, mean age 34.38 years)

Cognitive behavioural therapy, 20 individual sessions (ICBT)

Cognitive behavioural group

therapy (CBGT), 20 weekly 2-h sessions

CTS2

(physical, psychological aggression, emotional abuse, relationship adjustment)

Perpetrator and partner performed self-reports at baseline and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after baseline

CBGT produced equivalent or greater benefits than ICBT. Significant reductions in self-reported violence across conditions, with no between condition differences. Partner reports revealed more favourable outcomes for group treatment on measures of physical and psychological violence

Palmstierna et al. [25], 2012, Norway

Specialised outpatient mental health service

Male perpetrators voluntarily seeking therapy (N = 26, mean age 35.00 years)

Cognitive behavioural group therapy.

15 weeks 2 h sessions

Waiting list

CTS extended version (physical, material, any violence, verbal aggression)

Assessment after 15 weeks of treatment and after 15 weeks on waiting list as compared to baseline assessment

Significant reductions in self-reported violence in treatment group as compared to the waiting list group

Taft et al. [29], 2016, United States

Veteran Affairs hospitals Clinician-referrals, self-referrals, court-referrals

Male perpetrators; military veterans or service members (N = 135, mean age 37.85 years)

Cognitive behavioural group therapy, 12 weekly 2 h sessions (trauma-informed group intervention)

Treatment as usual

CTS2 (physical assault, psychological aggression)

MINI,

CAPS,

MMEA

Perpetrators performed self-reports at baseline and 3 and 6 months after baseline.

Partner assessments were performed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months

Significantly greater reductions in reported physical and psychologically intimate partner violence in the intervention group, self- and partner reports combined

  1. CTS2 Conflict Tactics Scales–Revised, CTS Conflict Tactics Scales extended version, MINI The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, CAPS The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, MMEA Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse. CBGT Cognitive Behaviour Group Therapy, ICBT Individual Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, SOCMI Stages-Of-Change Motivational Interviewing