Five Year Clinical Outcomes of a Treatment Innovation for Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment

Abstract Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) carries risk of significant harm to children’s health, mental health, and academic progress. When IPV co-occurs with child maltreatment, the impact is much more severe. However, treatment for IPV, even when maltreatment is involved, has largely focused on adult males. This study examines 5-year clinical outcomes of a treatment innovation for co-occurring IPV and child physical abuse and/or neglect. The model, Multisystemic Therapy for Intimate Partner Violence (MST-IPV) is a family-based treatment applied to families experiencing serious clinical needs and safety risks. All members of the family receive treatment as needed with the partners engaging in Domestic Violence Focused Couples Therapy. The method included tracking of de-identified treatment outcome data. Across 5-years, 100% of the 45 participating families completed treatment. No children were placed out of home and there were no new indicated reports of maltreatment. The majority of adults and children showed improvements in adult and child mental health and family functioning. Families who experience IPV and child maltreatment can make sustainable changes through an ecologically-based treatment model that provides intensive, evidence-based treatments that are applied to every member of the family and focus on the specific risk factors and clinical needs.