The need for marital violence prevention efforts: A behavioral-cognitive secondary prevention program for engaged and newly married couples

The purpose of this paper is threefold: (a) to review research indicating that prevention efforts are needed for marital violence; (b) to present the rationale for a prevention approach derived from a behavioral-cognitive, social learning perspective; and (c) to describe a new behavioral-cognitive secondary prevention program that we are developing for engaged and newly married couples at risk for marital violence. Given these goals, we first present data demonstrating that physical aggression is often introduced early in a relationship and is likely to continue without intervention. After reviewing questions about the efficacy of marital violence treatment programs, we propose that prevention is a potentially important means of reducing and eliminating relationship violence. We then review behavioral-cognitive models of marital violence and the empirical data supporting these models. Based upon this review, we introduce a new behavioral-cognitive program (PREP/SAVE) designed to prevent relationship violence. Finally, we briefly present our pilot work and planned research on the efficacy of PREP/SAVE, along with some issues for consideration by future researchers.