Peer Discussion and Client Motivation in Men's Domestic Violence Programs: An Australian Qualitative Interview Study

Abstract

Relationships Australia NSW and Baptist Community Services NSW & ACT, through its BCS LifeCare Counselling & Family Services program, collaborated to explore client perceptions of men's domestic violence programs. Recruitment targeted male clients and their female partners, across six locations in New South Wales, Australia. In total, 63 qualitative interviews were gathered from 28 participants, between 2007 and 2009, at program intake, program completion and 6-month follow-up. The focus of this article is on the 20 male interviews conducted with 14 participants at program completion (10) and at 6-month follow-up (10). Recurring themes from these interviews indicate the potentially disruptive effect of client dialogue on group dynamics. While positive group discussion has the potential to enhance client motivation, negative peer discussions, external to group sessions, can diminish group functioning and client motivation for these participants. The paradoxical nature of the group-intervention experience is explored in light of these accounts. Suggestions for men's domestic violence program facilitation and research are outlined.

“人际澳洲”的新南威尔士分部与浸会社区服务处，通过后者的生命关怀咨询及家庭服务计划，联手探讨了当事人对于男性家暴项目的感受。研究对象为男性当事人及其女性伴侣，分别来自新南威尔士的六个地方。在2007年与2009年之间于计划开始、完成及六个月追踪时对28位参与者做了共计63次定性访谈。本文的重点是计划完成（10次）以及6个月追踪（10次）时对14位参与者所做的20次男性访谈。访谈中反反复复出现的主题说明当事者对话有可能妨碍群体动力。积极的群体讨论有可能激励当事人，而外在于群体会议的消极的同人讨论， 则可能降低群体的功能，消弱参与者的动机。作者根据以上发现探讨了群体—干预经验的悖论性质，并对男性家暴计划的实施和研究有所建议。

Keywords:

• Domestic Violence
• Groups
• Practice Research
• Qualitative Research

Acknowledgements

This study would not have been possible without the interviews provided by the participants. We are grateful to them for sharing their stories with us. We thank Dr Cathy Bettman and Tony Goff who undertook the first phase of the research project. We also thank the members of both organisations, who bravely opened their work to our scrutiny and provided feedback throughout the study.