The efficacy of William Glasser reality/choice theory with domestic violence perpetrators: A treatment outcome study

This treatment efficacy study investigated whether a 12-week semistructured William Glasser reality/choice therapy group treatment intervention model was more effective in treating domestic violence perpetrators, as indicated by posttest scores on the Stets Control Scale (Stets, 1993), than a 12-week structured cognitive-behavioral psychoeducational group treatment intervention model. Thirty (N = 30) male domestic violence perpetrators who volunteered for this efficacy study were randomly assigned to either the 12-week semi structured William Glasser reality/choice therapy group treatment intervention model (experimental group), or the 12-week structured cognitive-behavioral psycho-educational group treatment intervention model (control group). Participants in both the experimental (n = 15) and the control group ( n = 15) were then administered the Stets Control Scale Pretest, and scores were tabulated for each group member. After Stets Control Scale scores were tabulated, domestic violence perpetrators in each group were administered the treatment for 12 weeks.; Posttest scores for both groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and results were tabulated. Findings showed a significant difference occurred between pretest/posttest Stets Control Scale scores in the 12-week semistructured William Glasser reality/choice therapy experimental group treatment intervention model. No difference occurred when comparing within group variance between pretest and posttest Stets Control Scale scores in the 12-week structured cognitive-behavioral psycho-educational control group treatment intervention model. The results suggest that the Glasser reality/choice therapy intervention model may have reduced domestic violence participants' need control over their intimate partners.