Dennis Bonge

A large sample empirical typology of male spouse abusers and its relationship to dimensions of abuse.

A number of studies have described typologies of domestically violent men. Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994) recently proposed a theoretical model for predicting violence severity and generality from personality “type.” The present study, using data from 833 identified abusive men, tested the model. Personality types were determined from cluster analysis of data from the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, and resulted in a three-cluster solution consistent with the Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart model. The three main clusters included nonpathological, antisocial, and passive aggressive-dependent groups. Three other, smaller types were also identified. Multivariate and chi-square analyses comparing the main clusters on other variables generally supported the Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart model. Nonpathological men had the lowest maximum violence and frequency. They restricted their violence primarily to intimate relationships and had the fewest police contacts. Antisocial and passive aggressive-dependent men did not differ in maximum violence, but antisocial men were the most generally violent and had the most police contacts. Passive aggressive-dependent men had the highest frequency of violence. Clinical, theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.

An Empirical Classification of Motivations for Domestic Violence

National survey research suggests that males and females are equally likely to perpetrate domestic violence, but surveys have not examined the interpersonal context or motivation for domestic violence. The questioning of identified partner assaulters suggests that females use violence for self-defense and escape, whereas males use violence to exercise control, punish, or demand attention. The perception of perpetrator violence, however, appears also to be a function of the gender of the individual appraising the violence. Six male and 6 female adult nonperpetrators sorted into categories the stated motivations for domestic violence of 215 male and 66 female court-referred perpetrators. Factor analysis revealed (a) motivations common to all: control, anger expression, and coercive communication; (b) motivations specific to gender of perpetrator: retaliation, self-defense, escape, and punishment; and (c) motivations specific to gender of perpetrator and sorter: alcohol use and response to verbal abuse.

The factorial validity of the Irrational Beliefs Test: A psychometric investigation

The modification of irrational beliefs has become a major strategy of cognitive-behavioral clinicians treating affective disorders. The purpose of such procedures is to change cognitions which mediate emotional disorders. The assessment of cognitive dysfunctions lags behind implementation procedures in terms of validation and normative research. The present study reports a factor validation of the Irrational Beliefs Test which has been previously used in laboratory and therapy analogue research. The data from 897 subjects was subjected to a principle component analysis. The results essentially replicated the factor structure of irrational beliefs revealed in the original test construction. The major exception was the absence of frustration reactivity factor. The scoring procedure was modified to best represent items factor loadings, and descriptive statistics for factor-derived subscales were determined. Additional analyses showed the psychometric homogeneity and stability of subscales show marginally adequate reliability for group research but insufficient reliability for individual clinical decision making. The implications for future research on the assessment, function, and modification of irrational beliefs are discussed.

A review of individual psychotherapy outcomes for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

This review examines the current literature on individual psychotherapy outcomes with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. As compared to the literature on treatment with victims of sexual trauma in adulthood, fewer researchers have explored the field of psychotherapy outcome with this population, particularly with regard to individual treatments. For this reason, a review of psychotherapy outcome for adult survivors of child sexual abuse is needed. This review first presents issues salient to the study of treatment with this population, such as prevalence, short-term impact, and long-term sequelae of childhood sexual trauma. Next, the eight studies that have been published on individual psychotherapy for this population are presented and evaluated according to both efficacy and effectiveness criteria for a methodologically sound study. Last, directions for future research with this population include continued integration of efficacy and effectiveness methodology, use of multi-method/multi-rater assessment data, as well as further investigation of interpersonal variables such as the therapeutic alliance.

The nature of irrational beliefs in different personality clusters of spouse abusers

Previous research has shown that a majority of spouse abusers have personality characteristics which are consistent with personality disorder and show symptoms of depression and anger expression. Irrational beliefs have been associated with the same emotions in nonabuser populations. The current study assessed the nature of irrational beliefs in a sample of spouse abusers. The results showed that abusers with personality disorder held more irrational beliefs than abusers without personality disorder. Labile symptoms were associated with three categories of irrational beliefs only in the abusers with personality disorder. The implications for the characterization of spouse abusers and the modification of spouse abuse are discussed.

Relationships between assertiveness and factorially validated measures of irrational beliefs

Assertiveness deficits have been construed as response inhibition which results from negative self-appraisal. Therapy procedures designed to modify negative self-appraisal through rational restructuring and self instructional training have been shown to be effective in modifying such deficits. However, there has been no prior research demonstrating the association between validated measures of irrational beliefs and assertiveness. The results of the present study show that self-reported assertiveness deficits are associated with Demand for Approval, High Self-expectations, Problem Avoidance and total irrational belief score. The implications for therapy process and outcome research are discussed.

The relationship of factorially validated measures of anger-proneness and irrational beliefs

Cognitive-behavioral formulations have proposed that anger disorders are mediated by irrational beliefs. The modification of irrational beliefs has been followed by reduction in anger-proneness. Determination of a causal relationship, however, requires at least a correlation between irrational beliefs and proneness to anger arousal. Subjects completed a validated measure of self-reported anger-proneness and of irrational beliefs. Multiple regression analyses showed significant positive relationships between all dimensions of anger proneness and several irrational beliefs. Implications for the cognitive-behavior modification of anger are discussed.

Ratings of Instruction, Examination Performance, and Subsequent Enrollment in Psychology Courses.

The ratings-performance relation is replicated, and certain factors in rating scales show some relation to taking further work in psychology.

Effects of Self-Imposition and Experimenter Imposition of Achievement Standards on Performance

This research assessed the effects of imposition of achievement standards on crank-turning within conditions in which apparent reinforcements were present. Subjects were assigned to one of four experimental conditions: self-imposition of achievement standards, experimenters imposition of achievement standards, apparatus-feedback control, and baserate control. A steady decline in cranking over the period was noted. Subjects given experimenters standards cranked faster than did subjects in the baserate condition but did not differ significantly from subjects in the apparatus-feedback condition. Subjects under self-imposition cranked faster than did subjects in any other conditions.

SOCIAL DESIRABILITY AND ENDORSEMENT OF IRRATIONAL BELIEFS

Irrational beliefs have been proposed as causal agents in emotional disorders. Endorsement of such beliefs is positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and anger. However, measurement of irrational beliefs may reflect social-desirability bias. 159 subjects completed validated measures of irrational beliefs and a measure of social desirability. Three of nine belief scales were negatively correlated with social desirability. It is concluded that the content of the Irrational Beliefs Test is not compromised due to a bias to respond in a culturally sanctioned manner.