Changes in Sexist Beliefs and Psychological Flexibility Among Men Court-Mandated to Domestic Violence Programs.
Amie Zarling, Meg Berta, Carl F Weems
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial examined changes in self-reported psychological flexibility and sexist beliefs among 84 men attending court-mandated domestic violence programs based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or the Duluth Model. Both interventions were associated with improvements in both measures from pre- to post-treatment. ACT participants showed a stronger association between psychological flexibility and reduced sexism. Men who did not re-offend had significant changes in both processes, whereas those who re-offended showed no significant change. The abstract does not report effect sizes or recidivism rates.
Key findings
- Both ACT- and Duluth-based programs were associated with improvements in psychological flexibility and sexist beliefs.
- In the ACT group, psychological flexibility had a stronger association with reduced sexism.
- Men who did not re-offend showed significant changes in psychological flexibility and sexism; those who re-offended showed no significant change.
Why it matters
The findings offer evidence about processes that may accompany change during batterer intervention programs, rather than focusing only on outcomes. The differing pattern by re-offending status may help inform research into how psychological flexibility and sexist beliefs relate to program response, while not establishing that changes in these measures prevent re-offending.
What to keep in mind
The study assessed self-reported pre- to post-treatment changes in 84 men; the abstract provides no effect sizes or details on follow-up duration.