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Abstract

Grant Number:	5R44MH062858-03
PI Name:	LEVESQUE, DEBORAH A.
PI Email:	levesque@etal.uri.edu
PI Title:
Project Title:	Expert System Intervention--Domestic Violence Offenders

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Male-to-female partner violence poses a major threat to the physical and emotional well being of women. Research assessing the efficacy of court-mandated domestic violence treatment programs has yielded disappointing results. A major problem with mandated treatment is that it tends to be standardized and 'one-size-fits-all,' neglecting individual differences in motivation level and readiness to change. We propose to individualize services by developing and testing a Transtheoretical Model (TTM) based intervention tailored to individual stage of readiness to end the violence. In Phase I the objective was to develop a stage-based computer-administered multimedia expert system intervention and self-help manual designed to be administered as an adjunct to traditional batterer treatment. In Phase II, the objective is to complete development of the intervention materials, translate them into Spanish, and assess their efficacy in a randomized clinical trial. English- and Spanish-speaking domestic violence treatment clients will be randomly assigned at treatment intake to the experimental (n=350) or control condition (n=350). Efficacy will be assessed by comparing the intervention and control groups on number of batterer treatment sessions attended, partner reports of recidivism, re-arrests for domestic assault, and several secondary outcome measures.

Thesaurus Terms:
artificial intelligence, behavior therapy, computer assisted patient care, computer program /software, computer system design /evaluation, human therapy evaluation, spouse abuse, violence
clinical trial, motivation, psychological model
clinical research, human subject, male

Institution:	PRO-CHANGE BEHAVIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
	2 CHAFEE RD
	KINGSTON, RI 02881
Fiscal Year:	2003
Department:
Project Start:	27-SEP-2000
Project End:	28-FEB-2005
ICD:	NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
IRG:	ZRG1

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