Abstract

In the U.S. most interventions with men who have acted abusively against intimate partners occurs because of a domestic violence conviction and court-mandate to complete treatment. This dissertation examines the intersection of intimate partner violence/abuse (IPV/A), intervention, and faith by investigating a parish-based voluntary partner abuse intervention program known as The Men’s Group (TMG). The function and implementation of TMG is first explored through a case study, laying the groundwork for understanding why men continuously participate in the program. This qualitative study then investigates how group members view the role of religious faith in relationship to IPV/A and how they arrive at the decision to join TMG. Results revealed that TMG is a culturally tailored and spirituality based program, primarily serving Latino men. Participants who engage in the group continuously, do so because they are met with respect, encounter strong peer social support, and perceive benefit from the program content. Religious faith and spirituality were found to be sources that support the cessation of IPV/A. However, religious faith was also reported to be used against intimate partners as a form of control. Finally, the study revealed that men often experience the decision to join the TMG as a process occurring overtime.

Committee Chair

Melissa Jonson-Reid

Committee Members

Lerone Martin, Carrie Pettus-Davis, Tonya Edmond, Stavroula Kyriakakis,

Comments

Permanent URL: https://doi.org/10.7936/K7BV7G29

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Author's Department

Social Work

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2018

Language

English (en)

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