title: Preventing intimate partner violence via the Internet: A randomized controlled trial of emotion-regulation and conflict-management training for individuals with aggression problems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of an Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (iCBT), which incorporated emotion-regulation and conflict-resolution techniques, on intimate partner violence (IPV). Another aim was to test the theoretical underpinnings of the treatment model using mediation analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five participants with aggression problems in intimate adult relationships were recruited from the community and were randomly assigned to iCBT or to a monitored waitlist control. Participants were assessed with standardized self-report measures of IPV or aggression (Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse, Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, and Aggression Questionnaire), relationship quality (Dyadic Adjustment Scale), anxiety or depression symptomatology (Patient Health Questionnaire; Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener), at pretreatment, posttreatment (8 weeks), and 1-year follow-up. Process variables (subscales of Dysfunctional and Emotional Regulation Scale and Anger Rumination Scale) were assessed weekly over the active treatment phase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Robust linear regression analysis of all randomized participants showed significant treatment effects on emotional abuse relative to control at postassessment. Mediation analysis using growth curve modeling revealed that the treatment effect was partially mediated by changes in emotion-regulation ability. Controlled effects on secondary outcomes were also observed. Analyses of uncontrolled effects indicted that gains on IPV were maintained at 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  iCBT focusing on enhancing conflict-resolution skills and emotion-regulation ability has the potential to reduce IPV among self-recruited individuals with mild forms of abusive behaviour in intimate relationships. Emotion-regulation ability is potentially a key therapeutic process of change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internet-delivered clinician-guided cognitive behaviour therapy is a viable treatment option for reducing intimate partner violence among self-recruited individuals with mild forms of abusive behaviour. For persons who display patterns of frequent and severe violence, other treatments are most likely needed. Emotion-regulation training is potentially a key therapeutic component that ought to be incorporated in interventions targeting IPV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9736-8228
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hesser
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Axelsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bäcke
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jonna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Engstrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holmgren
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulrika
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jeppsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pollack
authors.affiliation: Alternative to Violence, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nordén
authors.affiliation: Alternative to Violence, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenqvist
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.|Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; Emotion Regulation; Mediation Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trial; Situational Couple Violence