Date of Submission

2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Elizabeth A. Gosch, PhD, ABPP

Second Advisor

Alexa Bonacquisti, PhD, PMH-C

Third Advisor

Michael B. Roberts, PsyD

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a pervasive public health concern with significant consequences for families. Traditional batterer intervention programs (BIPs), which often focus solely on the person causing harm (PCH), have demonstrated limited success in reducing recidivism, particularly when grounded in punitive or authoritarian models. This study evaluated the Child-Welfare IPV Prevention Program (CWIPVPP), a family-centered, trauma-informed intervention that engages the PCH, co-parents, and children to reduce IPV-related behaviors and promote healthier family functioning.

Recidivism indicators, including domestic violence incident reports (DIRs) and arrests, were analyzed for 57 fathers referred to the program, with 53 retained for final analyses. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test assessed differences in pre- and post-program DIRs and arrests, while Pearson’s chi-square test compared substance use histories of non-completers and completers. Basic percentages were used to examine recidivism and retention rates. Results indicated reductions in DIRs and arrests, low levels of recidivism, and high participant retention. However, limitations included a small, predominantly male sample; reliance on official records that may underreport IPV; and constraints related to data availability within the program database.

These findings diverge from earlier studies of IPV interventions, which frequently reported minimal reductions in recidivism (Rosenfeld, 1992). The present results provide promising evidence that supportive, family-oriented programs integrating accountability with trauma-informed practices may be more effective than traditional approaches. Implications for policy and practice include expanding holistic IPV interventions within child welfare systems to disrupt cycles of harm and promote long-term family stability.

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