Back to Evidence & Resource Library

Interventions to reduce intimate partner violence perpetration by men who use substances: A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy

D. Stephens-Lewis, A. Johnson, A. Huntley, E. Gilchrist, M. McMurran, J. Henderson, G. Feder, L. Howard, G. Gilchrist
Trauma Violence Abuse

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration by men who use substances, limited evidence exists about how best to reduce IPV among this group. Method: A systematic narrative review with meta-analysis determined the effectiveness of interventions to reduce IPV by men who use substances. Inclusion criteria were randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials; adult heterosexual male IPV perpetrators where at least 60% of participants were alcohol and/or drug users; the intervention targeted IPV with or without targeting substance use (SU); outcomes included perpetrator and/or victim reports of IPV, SU, or both. Methodological quality was assessed. RESULTS: Nine trials (n = 1,014 men) were identified. Interventions were grouped into (1) integrated IPV and SU interventions (n = 5), (2) IPV interventions with adjunct SU interventions (n = 2), and (3) stand-alone IPV interventions (n = 2). Cognitive behavioral and motivational interviewing therapies were the most common approaches. Data from individual trials showed a reduction in SU outcomes in the short term (

Stephens-Lewis D, Johnson A, Huntley A, et al. Interventions to reduce intimate partner violence perpetration by men who use substances: A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2019:1524838019882357. PMID: 31711372. DOI: 10.1177/1524838019882357.

View the Resource
Publication year
Resource type
Peer Reviewed Research
Social Determinant of Health
Violence/Safety
Study design
Review
Other Study Design