Self-Determined Goals of Male Participants Attending an Intervention Program for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators: A Thematic Analysis

• Published date: 01 October 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X231170120
• Author: Manuel Roldán-Pardo,Faraj A. Santirso,Cristina Expósito-Álvarez,Magaly L. García-Senlle,Enrique Gracia,Marisol Lila
• Date: 01 October 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X231170120

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2023, Vol. 67(13-14) 1383 –1400

© The Author(s) 2023

Article reuse guidelines:

sagepub.com/journals-permissions

DOI: 10.1177/0306624X231170120

journals.sagepub.com/home/ijo

Article

Self-Determined Goals of

Male Participants Attending

an Intervention Program for

Intimate Partner Violence

Perpetrators: A Thematic

Analysis

Manuel Roldán-Pardo1* , Faraj A. Santirso1,*,

Cristina Expósito-Álvarez1, Magaly L. García-Senlle1,

Enrique Gracia1, and Marisol Lila1

Abstract

Treatment adherence and motivation to change are among the main challenges in

intervention programs for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetrators. Motivational

strategies have shown promising results in increasing the effectiveness of intervention

programs for IPV perpetrators. One of these motivational strategies is goal

setting. The aim of this study was to analyze and categorize the self-determined

goals (n = 204) of 227 male participants attending an intervention program for IPV

perpetrators. Findings of the thematic analysis suggested three levels of analysis:

4 core categories, 12 categories, and 35 codes. The four core categories were

“interpersonal relationships” (39.7%), “personal resources for daily life” (29.3%),

“coping strategies” (27.8%), and “motivation to change” (3.2%). Identifying the main

categories of self-determined goals of IPV perpetrators could guide professionals to

tailor the intervention to participants’ specific needs and implement evidence-based

strategies to strengthen goal attainment and improve treatment outcomes.

1University of Valencia, Spain

*These authors share first authorship.

Corresponding Author:

Faraj A. Santirso, Department of Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Avda.

Blasco Ibáñez, 21, Valencia, 46010, Spain.

Email: faraj.santirso@uv.es

1170120IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X231170120International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyRoldán-Pardo et al.

research-article2023

1384 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 67(13-14)

Keywords

intimate partner violence perpetrators, intervention program for IPV perpetrators,

motivational strategies, self-determined goals, thematic analysis

Introduction

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been acknowledged as a public health, social pol-

icy, and human rights concern of epidemic proportions that affects women, their chil-

dren, and society as a whole (World Health Organization, 2021). As a way to reduce

IPV, intervention programs for IPV perpetrators have been widely implemented to

reduce IPV perpetration and reoffending (Babcock et al., 2004, 2016; Eckhardt et al.,

2013). Several challenges exist that hinder the effectiveness of these interventions,

including high dropout rates, limited treatment engagement, low motivation for

change, minimization of responsibility, and victim-blaming (Jewell & Wormith, 2010;

Lila et al., 2014, 2019; Martín-Fernández et al., 2018; Olver et al., 2011).

To overcome these challenges, intervention programs for IPV perpetrators are

increasingly integrating evidence-based motivational approaches, such as motiva-

tional interviewing, the Good Lives Model, and strength-based approaches (Crane &

Eckhardt, 2013; Musser et al., 2008; Santirso, Gilchrist, et al., 2020). The incorpora-

tion of these motivational approaches has shown promising results in increasing the

effectiveness of intervention programs for IPV perpetrators (Babcock et al., 2016;

Santirso, Gilchrist, et al., 2020; Wilson et al., 2021). Intervention programs for IPV

perpetrators which incorporated motivational strategies showed lower dropout rates,

increased treatment engagement, and longer-term intervention effects (Lila et al.,

2018; Santirso, Gilchrist, et al., 2020).

One of the motivational strategies used in intervention programs for IPV perpetrators

is goal setting. A goal is defined as a relevant aim that motivates improved self-perfor-

mance (Lee et al., 2007; Ryan, 1970). Self-determined goals can be seen as a “textbook”

guide of desired states or situations that individuals strive to achieve or avoid (Lee et al.,

2014; Ward, 2002). They are based on personal needs for autonomy, competence, and

relatedness (Deci & Ryan, 2000), and they lead to meaningful and satisfactory lives that

are not conducive to perpetrating IPV (Langlands et al., 2009; Lila et al., 2018). Findings

of empirical studies of intervention programs for IPV perpetrators showed that goal set-

ting is associated with positive treatment outcomes, such as decreased recidivism (Lee

et al., 2007), increased awareness (Curwood et al., 2011; Lee et al., 2003), an accom-

plishment of attitudinal changes and skills development (Lee et al., 2014; Murphy &

Meis, 2008), and increased treatment engagement and motivation for change (Lee et al.,

2007; Stewart & Slavin-Stewart, 2013). Research suggests that goal setting may benefit

the process of change in treatment for male IPV perpetrators (Bolton et al., 2016; Bowen

et al., 2018; Lee et al., 2007). In the context of intervention programs for IPV perpetra-

tors, Bolton et al. (2016) and Bowen et al. (2018) suggest that these goals should be (1)

personally meaningful to the participant, (2) stated as small steps to be achieved in pro-

cess form, (3) new and relevant, (4) clear, specific and with indicators of success, (5)