reducing the recurrence of domestic abuse among male intimate partners

135 Pages·2013·0.95 MB·English

REDUCING THE RECURRENCE OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AMONG MALE INTIMATE
PARTNERS: A CASE STUDY OF THE PG STOP VIOLENCE PROGRAM OF THE
NORTHERN JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY

By

Chiduzie Chudi Ezedebego

B.SC., Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, 1996
B.A., Royal Roads University Victoria, 2010

Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of
The Requirements for the Degree Of
Master of Social Work

The University Of Northern British Columbia
August 2013

© Chiduzie Ezedebego, 2013
ii

Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore the effectiveness of the Stop
Violence program for men provided by the Prince George, Stop Taking it Out on Your Partner
(P.G. S.T.O.P.) of the Northern John Howard Society. This research explores the outcomes of
intervention for men attending the (P.G. S.T.O.P) at the Northern John Howard Society. For the
purpose of this research, open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the
participants were engaged in a spirit of cooperation and joint participation.
A thematic analysis was applied to the collected data in four interviews, which yielded
five main themes of importance: abuse, family history of violence, support, anger, and change.
From the analysis, it was evident that the participants benefited from the program content and
structure, including group and staff interaction and support. It is also important to understand
that change does not happen instantaneously, but rather as a process: as these men attested to
their journey through the direction of healing. The recommendations in this thesis include the
need to implement an effective intimate-partner violence treatment and intervention model that
incorporates the use of a person-centered approach and a trauma-informed practice. There is
also the need for more research on gender analysis and accountability, combined with
individualized treatment planning based on an in-depth assessment of individual biological,
psychological, social, and spiritual treatment needs at intake.
iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract ii
Table of Contents iii
List of Tables vii
Table of Figures viii
Acknowledgements ix
Dedication x
Chapter One Introduction 1
Inspiration: My Personal Reflections 4
Definition of Terms 8
Chapter Two Literature Review 10
The Impact of Childhood Exposure to Abuse 10
The Feminist Lens of Oppression 12
Exploring the Dynamics of Domestic Abuse 14
Domestic Abuse as a Form of Oppression 17
Power and Control 20
Understanding Different Forms of Domestic Abuse/Oppression 24
Effects of Domestic Violence on Families 29
Forms of Clinical Interventions 30
Exploring Human Capacity to Change 34
Chapter Three Research Methodology and Design 37
Introduction 37
iv

Case Study Approach 38
Interpretive and Social Constructionist Perspective 39
Feminist Perspective 39
Personal Reflexivity 40
Ethical Considerations 41
Consents 41
Research Procedures 42
Recruitment 42
Interviewing 43
Data Collections 45
Data Analysis 46
Evaluation of the Research 48
Credibility 48
Transferability 48
Dependability 49
Confirmability 49
Chapter Four Research Findings 51
Introduction 51
Demographics 51
Findings 53
Abuse 55
Verbal and Emotional Abuse 55
Physical Abuse 57
Family History of Violence 61
Experience of Childhood Violence 61
Abandonment 63
Support 64
v

Staff 64
Program 66
Group Support 70
Anger 71
Triggers 72
Feelings and Emotions 73
Responding 75
Understanding 78
Change 79
Measuring the Progress 80
Healing 82
Positive Self-image 83
Summary 84
Chapter Five Discussion, Summary, and Recommendations 86
Discussion 87
Limitations of My Research 92
Links to Literature Review 93
Precontemplative 94
Contemplative 95
Preparation 96
Action 96
Maintenance 97
Termination 97
Relapse 98
Recommendations 100
Implication for Social Work Practice 103
Summary and Recommendations 105
vi

References 107
Appendices Appendix A: My Core Research Questions 117
Appendix B: letter of Information/Consent to Participate in Research 119
Appendix C: Request for Authorization to Conduct Research by the
Northern John Howard Society 122
Appendix D: Oath of Confidentiality for Transcriber 123
Appendix E: Authorization to Recruit Research Participants 124
Appendix G: Invitation to Participate in a Research 125
vii

List of Tables
Table 1: Reasons for Accessing (P.G. S.T.O.P) 53
Table 2: Themes that Emerged from the Data 55
viii

List of Figures
Figure 1: Power and Control Cycle 23
Figure 2: The Cycle of Violence 28
Figure 3: The Stages of Change Model 99
ix

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Indrani Margolin for believing both in the
importance of the research and in my capacity to do this research authentically. I would like to
thank my committee, Dr. Glen Schmidt and Dr. John Sherry, for their support, their insightful
feedback, and their passion for my work. Thank you to my thesis Group for supporting my
journey through our mutual learning. Thank you to Dr. Si Transken, for providing the insight
that caused me to change my thesis topic. I valued your suggestions.
I would like to thank Mr. Tom Wainright of the Men Stop Violence Program of Northern
John Howard Society (NJHS), for his help to recruit the research participants and for all the
support you gave for this research. I also thank the Executive director of NJHS Mr. Wayne
Haughes for the permission to conduct this research with your organization. What an honour to
have people like you, who believe that research is both a key way to improving practice and a
way to ensure that clients get the best service delivery possible.
And most importantly, thank you to my wife, Leanne, son Caleb, and my two daughters,
Amara and Hannah. Thank you Leanne for all the times you took on the parenting responsibility
and for choosing to stay home, so that I could do my school work. Leanne, I've always so
appreciated your interest and enthusiasm in the work that I was engaging in. Thanks goes to
Nancy Shelford for the time you spent editing this thesis report; your effort and insight are so
much appreciated.
x

Dedication
This thesis is dedicated to my parents Emmanuel and Lawretta Ezedebego for the
biological, psychological, social, and spiritual nurturing, training, and discipline they instilled in
me as a child. It is their guidance that has made me a responsible, caring, loving, and respectful
husband and father.
This thesis is also dedicated to my wonderful sister Obiageli Momah and all the women
who survived emotional, sexual, physical, spiritual, and/or financial violence; you are all
amazing women with undeniable strength, determination, and courage. Witnessing your journey
to independence Obiageli has inspired me to believe in the power of resilience. Also to all the
women out there who are still fighting for their freedom from oppression and abusive
relationships, and for self-reliance, and self-empowerment.
In addition, thank you to my parents-in-law Wade and Charlene Mytting. Your
dedication, beliefs, and compassion are truly inspirational. Thanks to God almighty for the
strength and grace to complete my education at the graduate level, and for the dream come true.