A study of the effects of couples counseling on physical and verbal abuse in domestic violent couples, 1992

The use of Couples Counseling to reduce physical and verbal abuse among intimate violent couples was evaluated for effectiveness using an AB research design. The results of the study were reported by the victim and revealed that the episodes of physical and verbal attacks decreased during the intervention period. The treatment methods involved, anger management, effective communication skills, and education in marital satisfaction and improving self-esteem. Although marital satisfaction and self-esteen scores were not in the problem area; there was a steady decline during intervention indicating an increase in marital satisfaction and self-esteem. However, follow-up scores indicated as self-esteem and marital satisfaction decreased, the level of physical and verbal abuse increased. The couple indicated that alcohol abuse contributed significantly to their problem expressed in physical and verbal abuse