Trauma exposure, PTSD, and treatment response for partnerviolent men

Research indicates that treatments for partner-violent men have small effects on intimate partner violence (IPV) recidivism rates. Intervention outcomes may be improved by tailoring strategies to the needs of batterer sub-groups, such as men with trauma histories. Little remains known about the impacts of post-traumatic sequelae on treatment for IPV. The current investigation explored whether post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD predicted IPV treatment engagement and outcome factors. The study had three main goals: (1) Determine whether partner-violent men with PTSD and/or complex PTSD engaged in more IPV than those without these conditions pre- and post-treatment and evidenced poorer treatment engagement than those without these conditions; (2) Investigate which symptom clusters of PTSD and complex PTSD are most strongly related to IPV and treatment engagement; and (3) Examine whether major depression, alcohol abuse, and/or illicit substance use mediate the relations between PTSD, complex PTSD, and post-treatment IPV. Participants included 294 men presenting for a 20-week cognitive-behavioral group intervention for IPV. Participant reports of IPV, PTSD/complex PTSD, depression, and substance use were assessed at baseline and post-treatment. Treatment engagement was assessed at each therapy session. Results indicated associations between PTSD, and particularly the re-experiencing symptom cluster of this condition, and pre-treatment physical, psychological, and sexual aggression. Complex PTSD was also related to pre-treatment psychological abuse. However, neither PTSD nor complex PTSD predicted post-treatment IPV, and no relations were found between PTSD or complex PTSD and treatment engagement factors in the predicted directions. These findings suggest that PTSD and complex PTSD symptoms may be relevant factors to integrate into screening and treating procedures for partner-violent men. Further, group therapy does not appear to be contraindicated for partner-violent men who experience trauma sequelae. Future efforts to develop primary and secondary prevention strategies that address post-traumatic stress symptoms among traumatized men who batter may help to improve post-treatment recidivism rates within this population. Suggestions for research aimed at elucidating optimal treatment strategies for this population are discussed.