The Duluth Model and ACTV for Domestic Violence

NCT ID: NCT03609801

Last Updated: 2024-12-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

799 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-06-29

Study Completion Date

2023-05-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this research is to compare the effectiveness of two interventions for intimate partner violence (IPV). In most states, men who are convicted of domestic assault court-mandated to complete a Batterers Intervention Program (BIP) as part of their sentencing. The most commonly used BIP is based on The Duluth Model, which has been shown to decrease the recidivism of IPV offenders, but only marginally. The Duluth Model is a group intervention based on feminist theory and cognitive behavioral therapy. A new BIP called Achieving Change Through Values-Based Behavior (ACTV) has recently been developed by the PI as an alternative to Duluth. ACTV is currently being used statewide within the Department of Corrections (DOC) in Iowa. ACTV is a group intervention that utilizes acceptance and mindfulness techniques in addition to techniques from cognitive behavior therapy. The current study will use a randomized control trial to compare Duluth and ACTV, in order to assess the interventions' relative impact reducing IPV behaviors (physical aggression, psychological aggression, stalking, harassment, etc). Data on these outcomes will be collected via official criminal justice reports (i.e., criminal charges) as well as reports from victims. Other processes and outcomes of interest (attitudes toward women, emotion regulation, parenting behaviors, etc) will be collected from offenders.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Domestic Violence

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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ACTV

Achieving Change Through Values-Based Behavior (ACTV) - pronounced "ACTIVE" - is a new Batterers Intervention Program (BIP) for domestic violence offenders. ACTV was developed as a collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and the criminal justice system in the state of Iowa (Zarling, Lawrence, Oregno, 2017). It is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes, Strosahl, \& Wilson, 1999), which is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. ACTV is an innovative BIP in two primary ways; first, ACTV applies the ACT model to the treatment of domestic violence, and second, ACTV is specifically designed for use in the correctional setting as part of criminal justice programming.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

ACTV

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Achieving Change Through Values-Based Behavior (ACTV) - pronounced "ACTIVE" - is a new intervention program for domestic violence offenders. ACTV was developed as a collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and the criminal justice system in the state of Iowa (Zarling, Lawrence, Oregno, 2017). It is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes, Strosahl, \& Wilson, 1999), which is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. ACTV is innovative in two primary ways; first, ACTV applies the ACT model to the treatment of domestic violence, and second, ACTV is specifically designed for use in the correctional setting as part of criminal justice programming.

The Duluth Model

The Duluth Model Men's Nonviolence Classes is the most widely used BIP. The Duluth Model is based on the premise that domestic abuse happens when men believe they have the right to authority over women who are their intimate partners. The Duluth Model's Men's Nonviolence Classes (The Duluth Model for short) help men stop battering and explore the consequences of the violence for themselves, their partner and their children.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

The Duluth Model

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The Duluth Model is based on the premise that domestic abuse happens when men believe they have the right to authority over women who are their intimate partners. The Duluth Model Men's Nonviolence Classes help men stop battering and explore the consequences of the violence for themselves, their partner and their children.

Interventions

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ACTV

Achieving Change Through Values-Based Behavior (ACTV) - pronounced "ACTIVE" - is a new intervention program for domestic violence offenders. ACTV was developed as a collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and the criminal justice system in the state of Iowa (Zarling, Lawrence, Oregno, 2017). It is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes, Strosahl, \& Wilson, 1999), which is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. ACTV is innovative in two primary ways; first, ACTV applies the ACT model to the treatment of domestic violence, and second, ACTV is specifically designed for use in the correctional setting as part of criminal justice programming.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The Duluth Model

The Duluth Model is based on the premise that domestic abuse happens when men believe they have the right to authority over women who are their intimate partners. The Duluth Model Men's Nonviolence Classes help men stop battering and explore the consequences of the violence for themselves, their partner and their children.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* English-speaking
* First time domestic assault offender
* Domestic assault must be against an intimate partner
* Must be on supervision/probation

Exclusion Criteria

* Participation in any previous ACT-based or Duluth Model programming
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Iowa State University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Amie Zarling

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Amie Zarling, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Iowa State University

Locations

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5th Judicial District Department of Corrections

Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Zarling A, Berta M, Weems CF. Changes in Sexist Beliefs and Psychological Flexibility Among Men Court-Mandated to Domestic Violence Programs. J Interpers Violence. 2025 Sep 24:8862605251368854. doi: 10.1177/08862605251368854. Online ahead of print.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 40990942 (View on PubMed)

Zarling A, Russell D. A randomized clinical trial of acceptance and commitment therapy and the Duluth Model classes for men court-mandated to a domestic violence program. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2022 Apr;90(4):326-338. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000722.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 35446078 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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18-007

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id