Implications of personality profiles for batterer treatment

Research on men who batter women has recently given a great deal of attenti on to personality types of batterers. Treatment recommendations for battere r types have relied primarily on aggregated statistical analyses of the Mil lon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), but may be misleading because the MCMI is designed to be interpreted using individual profiles. The authors employed a profile analysis with MCMI-III results of 100 batterers randomly drawn from 840 men enrolled in four batterer programs. Case examples are u sed to illustrate the personality profiles and their treatment implications . The profile analysis suggests six major personality groupings that in par t reflect previously established types. However, the majority of batterers exhibit narcissistic or avoidant traits that air well suited for the prevai ling cognitive-behavioral group treatment approach. A smaller proportion of men evidence personality problems that may warrant adjunctive psychiatric services or individual psychotherapy. In sum, "one size" of treatment appea rs of fit most.