@article{ref1,
title="Change in self-esteem and physical aggression during treatment for partner violent men",
journal="Journal of family violence",
year="2005",
author="Murphy, Christopher M. and Stosny, Steven and Morrel, Tanya M.",
volume="20",
number="4",
pages="201-210",
abstract="The role of low self-esteem in aggressive behavior has been questioned by theorists who claim that inflated, rather than deflated, self-esteem is associated with violence, and that societal efforts to increase self-esteem may actually increase, rather than decrease, violent behavior. This conjecture was tested in two treatment samples of partner violent men, one (n = 61) that received a behavioral intervention, and one (n = 107) that received a workshop program designed to enhance compassion for self and others. Both samples reported significant reductions in relationship violence perpetration and significant increases in self-esteem from pre- to post-treatment. In both samples, change in self-esteem was inversely correlated with change in physical aggression. Follow-up data from victims were available for one of the samples, and revealed that self-esteem and its enhancement during treatment did not significantly predict relationship violence during the year after treatment. These results indicate that self-esteem enhancement during treatment for partner violent men is correlated with violence reduction, and does not increase the risk for subsequent relationship aggression.<p />",
language="en",
issn="0885-7482",
doi="10.1007/s10896-005-5983-0",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10896-005-5983-0"
}