The Conditions Around Engagement in Interventions AmongPerpetrators of Domestic Violence: Literature Review

Abstract

This article reviews the available literature on major theoretical explanations for understanding engagement by focusing on the stages and circumstances of male perpetrators’ involvement in domestic violence interventions. The review aims to improve the insights into theoretical accounts by conceptualising the perspectives of participants’ motivational influences in changing violent behaviour in domestic violence perpetrator programmes. This article applied acritical literature review to explore theoretical explanations of engagement in domestic violence perpetrator interventions. Various factors in relation to theoretical conceptualisations are identified since different conditions can impact on perpetrators’ engagement. This theoretical overview is helpful to recognise how these theories and models enable us to understand how key circumstances impact the effectiveness of their involvement in interventions. This article attempts to provide an integrated framework for understanding domestic abusers’ engagement process in intervention programs and suggests approaches that will increase engagement and subsequent behaviour change.