Acceptability of a Stage-Matched Expert System Intervention for Domestic Violence Offenders

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Levesque ◽  
Mary-Margaret Driskell ◽  
Janice M. Prochaska ◽  
James O. Prochaska

Most interventions for men who batter are standardized and “one-size-fits-all,” neglecting individual differences in readiness to change. A multimedia expert system intervention based on the transtheoretical model (the “stage model”) was developed as an adjunct to traditional court-mandated programs. The expert system assesses stage of change, decisional balance, self-efficacy, and processes of change and provides immediate individualized stage-matched feedback designed to increase readiness to end the violence. Fifty-eight male batterer intervention program clients were invited by agency staff to complete an expert system session and an evaluation of the program; 33 men were recruited at program intake and the remainder from ongoing groups. Responses to the intervention were very positive. For example, 87% of participants reported that they found the program to be easy to use, and 98% said it could probably or definitely help them change their attitudes or behaviors. Findings provide encouraging evidence of the acceptability of this stage-matched approach to intervention for domestic violence offenders.

1999 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline C. Horwath

AbstractThis review provides a rigorous investigation of the question of whether the transtheoretical model (TTM) (or stages of change model) is applicable to eating behaviour change. The TTM is currently the most popular of a number of stage theories being used to examine health behaviour change. Stage theories specify an ordered set of ‘stages of readiness to change’ into which people can be classified and identify the factors that can facilitate movement from one stage to the next. If eating behaviour change follows a stage process, then nutritionists could identify the predominant stage or stages in a population and focus resources on those issues most likely to move people to the next stage (e.g. from no intention of changing, to thinking about changing). In addressing this question, the review draws on the defining characteristics of stage theories as clarified by Weinstein et al. (1998), provides an in-depth coverage of methodological considerations, and a detailed summary table of dietary studies applying the TTM. Specific recommendations are made for improving the accuracy of dietary stage classifications. Among the key conclusions are: (1) dietary studies using the TTM have been hampered by a focus on nutritional outcomes such as dietary fat reduction, rather than clearly understood food behaviours (e.g. five servings of fruit and vegetables per day); (2) accurate stage classification systems are possible for food-based goals, but major misclassification problems occur with nutrient-based goals; (3) observation of an association between stage and dietary intake is not sufficient to demonstrate the validity of the model for dietary behaviour; (4) there is a need for valid questionnaires to measure all aspects of the TTM, and more research on the whole model, particularly the ‘processes of change’, rather than on single constructs such as ‘stage’ (5) cross-sectional studies generally support the predicted patterns of between-stage differences in decisional balance, self-efficacy, and processes of change; (6) studies which test the key hypothesis that different factors are important in distinguishing different stages are rare, as are prospective studies and stage-matched interventions. Only such studies can conclusively determine whether the TTM is applicable to eating behaviour. Since the ultimate test of the TTM will be the effectiveness of stage-matched dietary interventions, the review ends by exploring the requirements for such studies.


2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 1874-1883 ◽  
Author(s):  
MASAMI T. TAKEUCHI ◽  
MIRIAM EDLEFSEN ◽  
SANDRA M. McCURDY ◽  
VIRGINIA N. HILLERS

An intervention to promote use of food thermometers when cooking small cuts of meat was conducted using the Transtheoretical Model. Objectives were to (i) increase use of food thermometers by home food preparers, (ii) improve consumers' attitudes regarding use of a food thermometer, and (iii) examine relationships between stages of change and decisional balance, self-efficacy, and processes of change. A randomly selected group of residents of Washington and Idaho (n = 2,500) were invited to participate in the research; 295 persons completed all phases of the multistep intervention. Following the intervention program, there was a significant increase in food thermometer use when cooking small cuts of meat (P < 0.01); those persons classified in action and maintenance stages increased from 9 to 34%. Ownership of thermometers also significantly increased (P < 0.05). The three constructs related to the Transtheoretical Model that were used in the study (decisional balance, self-efficacy, and processes of change) were very useful for examining differences among people at different stages of change because the responses for each set of questions differed positively and significantly (P < 0.01) as stages of change classifications advanced from precontemplation (no interest in thermometer use) to action and maintenance (individuals who use food thermometers). Additional educational campaigns designed to increase use of food thermometers are needed. Because most consumers are currently in the precontemplation stage, food thermometer campaigns will be most effective when they are focused on raising awareness of the food safety risks and the benefits of using food thermometers when cooking small cuts of meat.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
William V. Massey ◽  
Stacy L. Gnacinski ◽  
Barbara B. Meyer

Research has demonstrated the efficacy of psychological skills training (PST), yet many athletes do not appear ready to do whatever it takes to improve the mental aspects of performance. Although the transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM), generally, and readiness to change, specifically, have received considerable attention in a range of allied health fields, few studies have been conducted to examine this construct in applied sport psychology. The purpose of the current study was to examine National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletes’ readiness for PST as it relates to their stage of change, decisional balance, self-efficacy, and use of processes of change. The data trends observed in the current study were consistent with the theoretical underpinnings of the TTM as well as previous research on NCAA Division I athletes. The results of the current study highlight the need to consider readiness to change when designing and implementing PST interventions.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Normand Brodeur ◽  
Gilles Rondeau ◽  
Serge Brochu ◽  
Jocelyn Lindsay ◽  
Jason Phelps

Attrition in intervention programs for domestically violent men is considered to be a serious and enduring problem. Researchers have found a number of sociodemographic variables that partially explain this phenomenon; however, models based on these variables have a limited predictive power. Scott (2004) argues that a firm theoretical base is needed in future investigations of the problem and suggests the use of the transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM), which was found to predict dropout with accuracy in other areas of behavioral change. This study investigated the relationship between four TTM constructs (Stages of Change, Decisional Balance, Self-Efficacy, and Processes of Change) and premature termination with a sample of Canadian French-speaking men (N = 302) in five domestic violence treatment programs. Contrary to the initial hypotheses, the TTM constructs did not predict dropout. Discussion investigates how social desirability bias affects results being obtained by current TTM measures and whether more motivation to change at intake necessarily relates to involvement in treatment for longer periods of time.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Nakabayashi Langamer ◽  
Giselle Rha-isa Melo ◽  
Natacha Toral

Abstract Background Literature has shown a tendency of inadequate eating habits among youth, consequently, nutritional interventions are required. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) classifies individuals based on their readiness to change. This model is widely used for health education interventions and it has been associated with positive results. Purpose This review aimed to describe how the TTM has been applied to nutritional interventions for adolescents. Methods The Adolec, Google Scholar, LILACS, PsycINFO, PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science databases were searched. Only full original articles written in English, Spanish or Portuguese on randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs that applied the TTM to nutritional interventions targeting adolescents were included, with no restrictions on publication date. Results The initial search yielded 3779 results, of which 13 were included. Two more articles were added after a search update, totaling 15 articles. The included adolescents were mostly recruited from schools, and the duration of the studies ranged from one month to three years. The TTM was used alone or combined with other behavior-change theories. Nine interventions had positive results. The participants in six studies progressed through stages of change or improved decisional balance. Conclusion There are some limitations related to the studies included in this review, such as the differences in design and intervention exposure time, as well as using the TTM in association with other behavior-change theories. Nevertheless, the TTM seems to be a successful strategy for nutritional intervention in adolescents. Further studies comparing the TTM with other behavior-change theories should be conducted to better understand its effectiveness.


2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Eckhardt ◽  
Amy Holtzworth-Munroe ◽  
Bradley Norlander ◽  
Ashley Sibley ◽  
Melissa Cahill

Men court-mandated to attend a batterer’s intervention program (BIP) were evaluated to determine whether pre-BIP readiness to change and the presence of partner violence subtypes predicted BIP completion, criminal recidivism, and postadjudication partner violence 6 months post-BIP. Of the 199 subject sample, 40% did not complete BIP. Four readiness-to-change clusters were found, with most men (76%) reporting change-resistant stages-of-change profiles. The partner violence typology reported by Holtzworth-Munroe et al. (2000) was supported with clustering into four subtypes: family only (FO), low-level antisocial (LLA), borderline/dysphoric (BD), and generally violent/antisocial (GVA). BIP completion was predicted by violence subtype (with BD and GVA more likely to drop out) but not by pre-BIP readiness to change. Men rearrested scored higher on the precontemplative stage of change and were more likely to be in the BD and GVA subtypes. Implications for counseling strategies are discussed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony M. Grant ◽  
John Franklin

AbstractThere is empirical support for the transtheoretical model (TTM) of change within the health and psychopathology-related areas, but relatively little research into its applicability in relation to academic settings. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the TTM is applicable to the adoption of improved study skills. Participants were 148 first-year university students. A 2-factor (pros and cons) study-related decisional balance measure was developed and participants completed questionaries assessing their readiness to change, self-efficacy, study strategies and decisional balance. Decisional balance pros and cons were as predicted by the TTM. Cons were higher than pros in precontemplation and pros were higher than cons in maintenance. Self-efficacy increased from contemplation through to maintenance, and students in action and maintenance showed an increase in the use of deep achieving study strategies and a decrease in the use of surface strategies. The data provides initial support for the applicability of the TTM to academic performance enhancement. The TTM may be a useful psycho-educational tool that can facilitate the adoption of improved study strategies through coaching.


2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988468
Author(s):  
Maxine Davis ◽  
Bruno Fernandez ◽  
Melissa Jonson-Reid ◽  
Stavroula Kyriakakis

Involvement in treatment for intimate partner violence and abuse (IPV/A) perpetration is often limited to those who are arrested and convicted of domestic violence offenses. Consequently, the majority of research into partner abuse intervention programs (PAIPs; also known as batterer intervention programs [BIPs]) has utilized data from court-mandated participants despite the existence of voluntary programs. Therefore, little is known about the experiences of voluntary and non-court-mandated BIP/PAIP participants. Using an interpretive phenomenological analysis, this study sought to understand how participants perceived their lived experience in seeking help from a voluntary BIP/PAIP serving Latino men. Men volunteering for this study participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews ( N = 16). The findings reveal that the decision to engage in a BIP/PAIP voluntarily is process laden. Participants described the process as involving a breakdown in the health of their intimate relationship, reaching tipping points at which avoiding help was no longer an option, and locating specific information on where to seek treatment. The findings also reveal that once involved, most participants anticipated and desired to engage in the program long term. This study illuminates the many factors that may contribute to decision-making when men who have acted abusively seek help. Strategies for increasing voluntary BIP/PAIP participation may involve enhancing marketing of services or information for accessing services, and personal relationship building between facilitators and potential participants.


2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 590-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Rooney ◽  
Caroline Hunt ◽  
Leanne Humphreys ◽  
David Harding ◽  
Miriam Mullen ◽  
...  

Objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling condition, sometimes unresponsive to treatment. The aim of the present study was to examine the predictive utility of constructs from the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TTM) known to predict outcome for other disorders. Method: A sample of 50 veterans presenting for a PTSD treatment programme provided data for this longitudinal study. Variables were assessed at four time-points during the treatment programme. Multiple regression and mixed-effects regression were utilized to determine the predictive utility of variables from the TTM. Results: Allocated stage of change at the time of a 2 day introduction programme predicted follow-up symptom severity, but changes therein during treatment did not predict changes in symptom severity. However, changes in the continuous readiness-to-change variable and behavioural processes of change were predictive of such changes. Conclusions: Despite some difficulties in the application of the TTM to PTSD, the model does appear to predict treatment outcome. Veterans who have increased readiness to change and who make more use of behavioural processes of change are likely to have improved outcomes.


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