STAGES AND PROCESSES OF CHANGE IN BATTERERS TREATMENT

The transtheoretical model of change (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1984) ha s been widely researched in the areas of substance abuse and health pr omotion. This model is applied to the problem of domestic violence, sp ecifically to group treatment for abuse perpetrators. These interventi ons could benefit by incorporating the transtheoretical model's focus on motivational factors and stage-specific interventions. Clinical sug gestions are provided that are appropriate to each stage of change (pr econtemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance) a nd that correspond to the experiential and behavioral change processes identified by the transtheoretical model.