Citation

Gerlock AA. J. Interpers. Violence 2001; 16(8): 768-783.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/088626001016008003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Batterers' rehabilitation takes more than just stopping all forms of abuse and violence. To stop domestic violence batterers are expected to halt all forms of violence and abusive behaviors and work on building relationship equality. In this study, relationship mutuality, as measured by the Mutuality Psychological Development Questionnaire (MPDQ), was one of six variables significantly related to batterers' completion of domestic violence rehabilitation. Completers were more likely to be young, employed, have lower levels of stress and post traumatic stress, be receiving monthly monitoring from the courts, and have higher levels of relationship mutuality. In addition, the greater the frequency and severity of the abuse the lower the level of relationship mutuality as reported by the batterer. When compared with the reports of their victims, batterers continued to minimize both the psychological abuse and physical violence.