The Role of Participant–Clinician Relationality and Intervention Source in a Violence Reduction Trial: A Qualitative Study

Violence and domestic violence are global public health problems with prevention programs showing limited effectiveness. The form of delivery of such programs can influence their utility yet delivery characteristics are often poorly described. We analysed interviews with clinicians ( n = 5) and participants ( n = 12) involved in ReINVEST, a violence reduction clinical trial, to identify key elements of delivery. Three themes were identified: (1) clinician accessibility; (2) clinicians as participant advocates; and (3) humane care, reflecting participant–clinician ‘relationality’ as a central component of program delivery. We propose that this relationality is more likely to emerge in interventions delivered independently from government agencies who were regarded negatively by participants. It is suggested that attention should be paid not only to what interventions do, but also who delivers them and the organisational setting through which they are delivered. For criminal legal system involved populations, this includes reporting whether interventions are delivered within or outside government agencies.