This study compares two groups of self-referred and court ordered male batterers: those who are depressed (n = 39), and those who are not depressed (n = 61). These two groups are compared along the following variables: alcohol use, anger, anxiety, beliefs about wife beating, jealousy, marital satisfaction, couple differentiation, psychological violence, and physical violence. Results indicate that the depressed male batterers differ significantly from the nondepressed male batterers. Depressed batterers had higher levels of anger, more anxiety, lower levels of marital satisfaction, were more physically violent toward their partner, and were more psychologically violent toward their partner. The depressed and nondepressed male batterers did not differ significantly on level of jealousy, couple differentiation, or their beliefs about the justification of wife beating. These results have implications for further understanding and treatment of depressed male batterers. / Master of Science

This exploratory study examined risk factors for sexual coercion using data provided by 87 couples that were screened to participate in a couples treatment program for domestic violence. Risk factors examined included: level of alcohol use, anger, beliefs about wife beating, jealousy, dominance, depression, physical and psychological violence. Overall, 46.9% of the women reported that their partners were sexually coercive. Slightly over 46% of the women whose partners were severely violent reported that they also were sexually coercive and slightly less than 46% of the women whose partners engaged in minor aggression reported that their partners were sexually coercive. Almost 23% of the female participants reported that their partners raped them during the past year. Furthermore, results from correlational analyses indicate that level of male physical violence and male beliefs about wife beating are risk factors for sexual coercion within the context of a violent relationship. Level of alcohol use, anger, male depression, jealousy, dominance and psychological violence do not appear to be risk factors. These results have implications for further understanding and treatment of sexually coercive male batterers. / Master of Science

In this paper, we try to understand the high prevalence rates of domestic violence in the United States. Using the history behind domestic violence, the psychology behind male batterers and batterer intervention programs we discover solutions to help reduce battery recidivism rates. An analysis of the criminal justice system regarding police intervention and Family Court result in future policy implications. In addition, the proposed solutions are creating lasting impact in either batterer intervention programs or policies. Lastly, policy and future implications are discussed without reducing batterer responsibility.

Over the past 20 years, a plethora of research has been conducted on the effects of arrest in reducing recidivism of domestic violence offenders. The findings of such research have been varied. This study uses data from the Minneapolis Intervention Project to test the effectiveness criminal justice sanctions (i.e., arrest, jail, counseling, and the combination) on reducing recidivism of male domestic violence offenders. Results from bivariate analysis found that the criminal justice sanction of arrest and jail was related to recidivism. However, criminal justice sanctions could not predict recidivism.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adequacy of the Stages of Change model in a group therapy treatment program for male batterers. The sample consisted of three groups with a total sample size of 22 participants. Data for this study were obtained by administering the Safe at Home Instrument and the Group Climate Questionnaire – Short Form. Results indicated the Safe at Home Instrument had limited clinical utility with involuntary male batterers. Independent of scoring method used, the majority of participants reached the action stage early in group treatment. Because the action stage is the highest stage attainable in this study, further growth was not measurable. The lack of variability in participants’ scores on the Safe at Home Instrument limits its clinical usefulness. Results from the Group Climate Questionnaire – Short Form indicate the groups did not progress according to a popular group development theory (MacKenzie & Livesley, 1983). The groups appear to enter the differentiation stage but do not successfully master the developmental issues needed to progress through the subsequent stages. The results from both instruments indicate that treatment groups with involuntary, male batterers did not progress as expected. Recommendations for future research and clinical practice are discussed.

Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka vilka faktorer/strukturer som enligt tidigareforskning bidrar till och upprätthåller mäns våld mot kvinnor i heterosexuella parrelationer,med ett fokus på den manliga förövaren. Mäns våld mot kvinnor är ett utbrettsamhällsproblem som får allvarliga konsekvenser för både samhället och offret. Män utgören majoritet av våldsutövare, och det är därmed viktigt att undersöka deras perspektiv föratt kunna skapa en förståelse kring möjliga orsaker till att våldet sker. Uppsatsen är en narrativ litteraturöversikt där det empiriska materialet utgörs av 20 studiersamt en bok och en artikel. En teoridriven tematisk analys har genomförts därhuvudtemana En riktig man, Inte mitt fel samt Jag utövar våld identifierats. Dessadiskuteras främst i relation till hegemonisk maskulinitetsteori. Sammanfattningsvis visarresultatet att maskulina normer och omgivningens förväntningar styr männens agerandesamt förmåga till förändring, där bland annat rädsla för att ses som “svag” i andra mänsögon hindrar hjälpsökande. Icke-dömande bemötande och miljöer där män har förmågaatt bli konfronterade i sitt våldsamma beteende har påvisats vara viktigt för att skapaacceptans samt ansvarstagande. Avslutningsvis är ett återkommande drag att våldsutövarevill undvika skammen som tillkommer med att vara en kvinnomisshandlare, och använderdärför en variation av strategier för att positionera sig utanför begreppet. Uppsatsens relevans i socialt arbete återfinns i problemets utbreddhet och därmed behovetatt skapa en bredare förståelse för möjliga orsaker till dessa destruktiva strukturer. / The aim of the thesis is to examine which factors/structures, according to previousresearch, contribute to and maintain men´s violence against women in heterosexualintimate partner relationships, with empashis on the male perpetrator. Men´s violenceagainst women is a widespread social problem that has serious consequences for bothsociety and the victim. The majority of perpetrators of violence are men, and it is thereforeimportant to examine their perspective in order to create an understanding of the possiblereasons why the violence occurs. The thesis is a narrative literature review where the empirical material consists of 20 studiesas well as a book and an article. A theoretical thematic analysis has been conducted wherethe themes A real man, Not my fault and I practice violence have been identified. These aremainly discussed in relation to the theory of hegemonic masculinity. In summary, theresults show that masculine norms and societal expectations govern the men's actions andability to change, where, among other things, fear of being seen as "weak" in the eyes ofother men prevents help-seeking. Non-judgmental support and environments where mencan be confronted in their violent behavior have been shown to be important in creatingacceptance and taking accountability. In conclusion, a recurring feature is that maleperpetrators of violence seek to avoid the shame that comes with being a women batterer,and therefore use a variety of strategies to position themselves outside that category.  The thesis' relevance in social work lies in the prevalence of the problem and thus the needto create a broader understanding of possible causes for these destructive structures.