Managing victim status in group therapy for men: a discourse analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Research on intimate partner abuse predominantly focuses on female victims.
• There is a need to understand the experiences and discourse of male victims of abuse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate identity constructions and abuse conceptualizations among men in group psychotherapy for experiencing abuse from female partners.
• To analyze the discourse and therapeutic processes involved in men identifying as victims.

Main Methods:

• Discourse analysis of group psychotherapy sessions for men who have experienced abuse.
• Examination of identity work and conceptualizations of abuse within the therapeutic context.

Main Results:

• Men and facilitators actively constructed "true victim" positions by challenging "men as perpetrators" and broadening the definition of abuse beyond physical violence.
• Therapeutic language of resistance was used to manage victim status but required negotiation to avoid being perceived as abusers themselves.
• The study highlights the complexity of victim-perpetrator dichotomies in therapeutic discourse.

Conclusions:

• Findings offer insights into male victim identity formation, contrasting with discourse in women victim groups.
• Therapeutic interventions must navigate the complexities of male victimhood and challenge societal norms.
• The study underscores the difficulty in maintaining a clear victim-perpetrator distinction in therapeutic settings for intimate partner abuse.