Professionals on the Front Line: A Mixed-methods Study of Perceived Needs, Challenges, and Emotional Well-being in...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Work
• Criminology

Background:

• Limited understanding of practitioners' professional profiles, needs, and challenges in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrator programs.
• Need for evidence to guide recruitment, training, supervision, and organizational support for these professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine the professional profile of facilitators working with IPV perpetrators.
• Investigate their perceived needs and challenges.
• Assess the emotional impact of this work on their well-being.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods design involving 49 professionals in community-based IPV perpetrator interventions in Spain.
• Quantitative data analyzed descriptively.
• Qualitative data from focus groups analyzed thematically.

Main Results:

• Facilitators were mostly experienced psychologists, often lacking regular supervision.
• Key training needs included managing perpetrator resistance and motivation.
• Challenges involved group dynamics, co-facilitation differences, and emotional strain (frustration, overload, safety concerns).
• Despite moderate job satisfaction and low burnout, emotional strain was significant due to program and institutional barriers.

Conclusions:

• Working with IPV perpetrators is emotionally demanding and complex.
• Enhanced training, supervision, and multi-agency coordination are crucial.
• These supports are vital for facilitator well-being and effective IPV perpetrator programs.