SAN DIEGO, Sep 29, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Therapy dramatically helped curb
domestic violence among homeless veterans, U.S. researchers say.
Gary Dick of the University of Cincinnati and Brad Schaffer of the Veterans
Administration Cincinnati Medical Center said the study was based on the cases
of 130 homeless, male veterans who had admitted abusing their partners and lived
in homeless shelters.
Eighty-eight percent were unemployed, 90 percent reported some form of substance
abuse and 16 percent have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The median age was 45.
Group treatment involved a 13-week psycho-educational program. Sessions focused
on anger management, the link between substance abuse and violence, respect and
partnership, stress and challenges, as well as values and violence. Individual
therapy was held for men who expressed the need for additional therapy.
The therapy led to dramatic results in curbing domestic violence among homeless
veterans, the researchers say.
The findings were presented at the 14th International Conference on Violence,
Abuse and Trauma in San Diego.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International