Self-deception among men who are mandated to attend a batterer intervention program.
OBJECTIVE
Intimate partner violence continues to be a confounding national health problem, especially for women and children. Certified batterers' intervention programs are one means currently being used to combat intimate partner violence.


METHODS
Existential phenomenology was utilized in this qualitative study to gain an understanding of the perceptions of the perpetrator prior to beginning a batterer intervention program.


RESULTS
The batterer's experience is divided into two major themes: lack of justification of behaviors toward him and minimization and justification of his behaviors toward the victim and others.


CONCLUSIONS
It is hoped that obtaining this understanding will encourage program personnel working in the area of batterers' intervention programs to include more emotional skills training within such programs, thus improving the quality of life for victims, perpetrators, and their families.
Smith
Marilyn E
ME
West Virginia University, Charleston, WV, USA.
Randall
Elizabeth J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008192:Deception; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*