Methodological Challenges in Group-based Randomised Controlled Trials for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators: A Meta-summary

• Published in: Intervención psicosocial Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 123 - 136
• Main Authors: Turner, William, Morgan, Karen, Hester, Marianne, Feder, Gene, Cramer, Helen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain Revista de Psicología del Trabajo y de las Organizaciones 01-05-2023; Colegio Oficial de la Psicología de Madrid; Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid
• Subjects: Attrition; batterer intervention; Challenges; Comorbidity; Domestic violence; Gender-based violence; group-based perpetrator programmes; Intervention; Intimate partner violence; Methodological problems; partner abuse; Perpetrators; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychology; Psychology, Social; Psychotherapy; Research methodology; Substance abuse; Trauma; Treatment programs; Women; United Kingdom > UK; Domestic violence; Partner abuse; Group-based perpetrator programmes; Batterer intervention; Gender-based violence; Abuso de pareja; Violencia de género; Violencia doméstica; Intervención para agresores; Programas grupales para perpetradores
• ISSN: 2173-4712; 1132-0559; 2173-4712
• DOI: 10.5093/pi2023a9

Evidence for treatment effects of group-based Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetrators programmes remains, at best, inconclusive. In the present review, systematic/meta-analytic reviews were used to identify randomised controlled trials and a meta-summary approach was employed to identify methodological challenges in the design and conduct of these trials. Of the fifteen studies identified, seven were comparative effectiveness trials. A range of methodological challenges were also identified by the trialists; source of outcome data, treatment modality, attrition and sample characteristics were the most frequently mentioned. Although there are only a few randomised controlled trials compared to non randomised studies, the findings of both highlight the need to invest in the development of innovative and/or combined IPV treatment programmes to address co-occurring issues such as substance use and trauma. The summary of methodological challenges will provide the first step in the development of methods guidance for researchers working in this area.