Women's experiences of changes in related men's impulsivity and domestic violence following men's participation in the ReINVEST clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Impulsivity, a behaviour often associated with reactive violence to perceived provocation or stress is a key risk factor for Domestic Violence (DV) perpetration. This study explores the experiences of women on related men's changes in impulsivity and DV following men's participation in the ReINVEST clinical trial that investigated whether the commonly used antidepressant sertraline would reduce impulsivity and domestic violence.

METHODS

The study conducted in-depth interviews with 27 women ex(partners) and family members living in New South Wales, Australia. Critical Realism and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) underpinned the analysis and interpretation of findings.

RESULTS

Most women (92.3%, n = 24) reported some or significant changes in impulsivity and DV or intimate partner violence (IPV) following the participation of related men in the trial. Many changes were reported at the individual (e.g., self-regulation), partner or family (e.g., feeling safer), and social levels (e.g., employment). Analysis using critical realism and SDT identified three themes (Determination to change, Enabling environment, and Continuum of changes) that illustrated the underlying mechanisms and causal explanations of the changes women experienced among themselves and the trial participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The experiences of women revealed the benefit of antidepressant sertraline in reducing impulsivity and DV or IPV when supported with other interventions (e.g., counselling and follow-up support by clinicians). The behaviour change processes described using critical realism and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) demonstrated the potential of SDT-grounded approaches in reducing impulsivity and its associated effects on intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence (DV).

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12613000442707, registered on 18/04/2013.