Evaluation of the Treatment Program Men Take Responsibility
Authors: Ásdís A. Arnalds, Elísabet Karlsdóttir og Hafsteinn Einarsson
Funding details: Social Science Research Institute and ICE-CCFR – Centre for Children and Family Research
Publication date: June, 2014
Keywords: Iceland, men take responsibility, domestic violence, treatment, quality of life.
Project description
Men Take Responsibility (MTR) is a treatment for men who commit domestic violence. Evaluation of this therapy was conducted to determine the attitude of those seeking treatment in MTR and to examine any changes on behavior, quality of life and social interaction of men after receiving therapy in MTR. The purpose of this evaluation is also to examine what changes in the circumstances of women when the spouse attends treatment in MTR.
The method of this study was both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative component involved collecting data with a telephone survey among men who had received the treatment and spouses of men who have attended to this treatment. Additionally, qualitative interviews were collected from six men who had participated in the treatment and from six women whose spouses had pursued treatment. The aim of the telephone survey was to gather information and results from participants and spouses of men that had participated in the MTR treatment. The interviews were to provide depth to the outcome of the treatment for men and also to their spouses.
Main findings
Results indicated general satisfaction with the treatment, for the men who participated as well as the spouses, the participants also stated that the treatment had increased their quality of life. The treatment was both on individual level as well as group therapy. Men who had been in group therapy were more likely to be more satisfied with the treatment than those who had been in individual therapy. In addition, fulfillment was highest among the youngest participants. Social participation was greater among men who had been interviewed for longer periods. Lengthier interviews also resulted in improvement in domestic relations as well as interactions with others, i.e., with relatives and friends. After receiving the MTR treatment, the majority of both men and women felt that the men were calmer in challenging conditions. Better parenting skills were experienced and the men showed a better understanding towards their spouses. The interviews revealed that most of the men had experienced bullying in childhood, having grown up with hardship or violence that they then carried with them into their adult relationships. In most cases this occurred unconsciously. The men concurred that during treatment they found better methods of responding to stimuli than violence. They still dealt with provoking situation but had learned to react in new nonviolent way. The treatment seems to help men achieve control of their own behavior and attitudes. Problems were discussed rather than argued, and this created more tranquility at home and greater intimacy in the relationship. The interviews with the women indicated that they often had difficulty in accepting that they had been living with violence. The women often believed that they bore partial responsibility for the abuse.
Since the MTR therapy is designed to help men rid the constraints of violence, the research was focused on exploring whether the rates of violence against a spouse had lessened after psychotherapy began. The results showed that violent incidents had decreased significantly, but mental abuse abated the least. Three months after the treatment, comparisons of the responses of participants and their spouses revealed that men and women had different perspectives regarding the extent of violence. Women declared that there was more violence than the men reported. None of the men reported having sexually abused their spouse, while 11% of the women said that they had been sexually abused. A mere 4% of the men alleged that they had used physical violence while 15% of women said they suffered physical violence. Only 22% of men versus 50% of women said that psychological abuse had occurred. This raises questions whether the men do not always realize that they are committing violence.
The results of the treatment are subjective in that some men who may have had a negative experience of the treatment had denied involvement in the study. Despite this disclaimer, it is clear that the MTR treatment helps a large group of men to deal with the problem of violence in intimate relationships and improves the quality of life for both themselves and their spouses.
The Socio-Economic Status of Parents in Reykjavík: Social network, Activites and Children´s Health
Authors: Ásdís Aðalbjörg Arnalds, Elísabet Karlsdóttir, Heiður Hrund Jónsdóttir and Vala Jónsdóttir.
Funding details: Funded by Reykjavík Department of Welfare
Publication date: May, 2012
Project description
People who recieve financial support from municipalities are, among others, the ones who have the lowest income in Iceland. This research was based on comparing the socio-economic status of parents in Reykjavík, depending on whether their income was based on social benefit from municipalities, unemployment benefits or salary from the general work market. Among the goals of this research was to find out whether there was a difference between the participation of children in sports and other activites, depending on from where their parents recieve their income. In addition, another purpose of the research was to find out the major reasons for why many parents who have financial problems are not using the service available for their children.
Main findings
The findings strongly suggest that parents in Reykjavík who recieve social or unempolyment benefit differ in many ways from parents who work on the general work market. Most of the parents who recieve social benefit are young, single mothers who, in general, quit school after primary school (16 years of age in Iceland). The socio-economic status of families in Reykjavík is different in many ways and findings show that children´s situation differ depending on which group of society they belong to, especially when it comes to sports training and studying music. The children of parents who recieve social or unemployment benefit are less likely to train sports on a regular basis and/or learn to play an instrument. They are also less likely to use a certain hobby-card provided by Reykjavík city but are more likely to participate in activities such as open house at youth centres or seeing a film at the cinema.
The social conditions of Polish families in Reykjavik
Authors: Hilma Holmfridur Sigurdardottir, Asta Gudmundsdottir and Asdis Arnalds
Funding details: Funded by the 2010 European year against poverty and social exclusion.
Publication date: March, 2011
Keywords: Polish families, social conditions , Reykjavik, Iceland
Project description
According to the National Registry, in December 2010, there were 481 families with children under the age of 18 living in Reykjavik, where at least the other parent had a Polish citizenship. These families were contacted and asked to participate in a telephone survey where they were for example asked about their living arrangements, income and their children’s social networks. Some questions were taken from the European Value Study, in order to compare the views of Polish families to those of the general public in Reykjavik. The response rate was 55%.
Main findings
One third of the Polish families lived in Breidholt, a low income area in Reykjavik, Iceland. The average family income was significantly lower than the income of Reykjavik families in general and they were more likely than the general public to be unemployed. Despite their low income, a vast majority (78%) planned to continue to live in Iceland for the next 5 years. When asked about their children, the parents felt they did well in school and were generally happy when in school. One fourth of the oldest children (aged 16 and 17) mostly met with Polish peers after school but this was the case of only 8% of the grammar school children (aged 6 -15).
Men’s violence against women: The service of 11 NGOs
Authors: Gudrun Helga Sederholm
Funding details: Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date: July, 2010
Keywords: NGO’s, Iceland, domestic violence, violence against women
Project description
Researching NGOs that support female sufferers of violence was one aspect of gathering information for the Icelandic government’s action plan on violence against women. This research is a qualitative study, based on interviews with 13 representatives of 11 NGOs in Iceland.
Main findings
More service is offered to female victims of violence in the Reykjavik area than in other parts of Iceland. The participants do not feel they have enough resources to support disabled women and women of foreign decent. For example, translations are usually not offered. The representatives feel that it is important to inform the general public of the causes and effects of violence against women, but because of low funding, information flow is poor.
Men’s violence against women: Health services’ response
Authors
Ingólfur V. Gislason
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
September, 2010
Keywords
Health service, Iceland, domestic violence, violence against women
Project description
Researching how the health sector deals with violence in intimate relationships was one aspect of gathering information for the Icelandic government’s action plan on violence against women. This research is a qualitative study, based on interviews with 19 employers of 9 health clinics in Iceland.
Main findings
There are no defined strategies on how to respond to women’s experiences with domestic violence. The health clinic employers felt their knowledge of the subject was poor. The employers were insecure regarding how to ask a woman if she has suffered domestic violence and what measures they should take if a women reports domestic violence.
Men’s violence against women: The police’s response
Authors
Ingólfur V. Gislason
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
December, 2010
Keywords
Police, Iceland, domestic violence, violence against women
Project description
Researching how the police deals with violence in intimate relationships was one aspect of gathering information for the Icelandic government’s action plan on violence against women. This research is a qualitative study, based on interviews with 12 police officers in Iceland.
Main findings
Police officers feel they have had sufficient education on domestic violence. However, those interviewed felt that more has to be done to support the victims. The police’s main concern was that sufferers of domestic violence do not want to press charges. Perhaps, it should not be in the hands of the victim to press charges. In order to be able to provide better support, the police wishes to cooperate more closely with social services.
Icelandic consumption norms
Authors
Jon Thor Sturluson, Gudny Bjork Eydal and Andres Julius Olafsson
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
February, 2011
Keywords
Iceland, consumption norms
Project description
Introducing three new Icelandic consumption norms: typical norm, short-term norm and base norm. The aim of these norms is to serve as a reference for Icelandic household when planning own expenditure.
Main findings
Base norm for an individual living in the Reykjavik area 83.530 isk. Base norm for a family with two children 238.365 isk. Housing and automobile costs not included.
Effect of Vocational Rehabilitation on poverty, social exclusion and activity
Authors
Halldor S. Gudmundsson, Atli Hafthorsson, Bryndis Elfa Valdemarsdottir, Kristjan Mar Magnusson and Gudny Bjork Eydal
Funding details
European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion under the auspices of the Ministry of Welfare and VIRK – the Icelandic Rehabilitation Fund
Publication date
February 2011
Keywords
Vocational rehabilitation, poverty, social exclusion, activation, ASEBA, mixed method
Project description
A research on the influence of rehabilitation on poverty, social exclusion and the activity level manifested by participants in the rehabilitation programme operated by SN-Rehabilitation Centre.
Main findings
The work rehabilitation programme influences poverty, social exclusion and participation levels/activity. It provides improvement in the status of most of the programme participants, difficulties diminish, skills and adaptive levels are fortified and participation grows, mainly in work and studies
Childcare of young children in Reykjavik. Part II. RBF’s Research conducted for the City of Reykjavik’s Department of Pre-schools
Authors
ICE-CCFR – Centre for Children and Family Research
Funding details
Funded by the City of Reykjavik’s Department of Pre-schools
Publication date
March, 2010
Keywords
Childcare, Reykjavik, paternity/maternity leave, kindergarten
Project description
Research on what childcare measures parents in Reykjavik use after their maternity/paternity leave, reasons for differences in choice of childcare and how parents use and experience temporary cash for care services (is. þjónustutrygging)
Main findings
About 90% of participants stated that cash for care (is. þjónustutrygging) should be an available measure provided by the city of Reykjavík. 88% thought that it helps parents bridge the gap between paternity/maternity leave and day care and 73% said that it increases the likelihood of someone close the child looking after the child.
Research on violence against women: The experiences of Women Aged 18-80 in Iceland
Authors
Elisabet Karlsdottir and Asdis A. Arnalds
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
December, 2010
Keywords
Iceland, domestic violence, violence against women
Project description
The aim of the research was to increase knowledge on the nature, scope and consequences of physical and sexual violence against women in intimate relationships. The findings are based on a telephone survey among a random sample of 3000 women living in Iceland, aged 18-80, who were selected from the National Registry. Data collection took place in September to December 2008 and the response rate was 73%, after discounting ineligibles.
The questionnaire is based on The International Violence against Women Survey (IVAWS), developed by an international research team lead by HEUNI (The European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations).
Main findings
The findings show that 42% of women in Iceland had experienced violence of any kind since the age of 16 and 4% said the violence took place within the last 12 months. Approximately 30% of the women stated they had experienced physical violence and just over 24% that they were the victims of sexual violence. When asked about their relationship with the offender, it turned out that 22% of women in Iceland had experienced violence in an intimate partner relationship since the age of 16. Approximately 20% of the women had experienced physical violence by an intimate partner and just over 6% were victims of sexual violence in an intimate relationship (as some women were victims of both physical and sexual violence, the summary of the percentage experiencing physical and sexual violence dose not equal the percentage experiencing any forms of violence). Between 1 and 2% of women had experienced some form of violence in an intimate partner relationship during the last 12 months. A larger percentage of participants in the survey had experienced violence by a former spouse, co-habitant or boyfriend (19%) than in a current relationship (7%).
There were no significant differences in whether or not women had been victims of intimate partner violence by the women’s employment status or residence. However, divorced women were more likely (51%) to be victims of any kind of violence in an intimate relationship than those who had never been married (17%) or neither divorced nor married (18%). A significantly higher percentage of women aged 25-44 (24%) and 45-64 (24%) had experienced violence in an intimate relationship than those under 25 (17%) or those aged 65-80 (11%). Finally, more women with a low household income reported violence in an intimate relationship than those with a high household income.
When asked about the last violent incident it was revealed that women most commonly experienced the last incident of intimate partner violence in or around their homes (67%). Around 75% viewed the incident as being rather or very serious. Surface scratches (58%) were the most commonly inflicted injuries, followed by bruising (36%), broken nose/bones (11%) and cuts or burn wounds (11%). About 5% of the women were pregnant when the last incident took place and 15% had used alcohol or taken drugs in order to cope with their experience.
Childcare of young children in Reykjavik. Part I. Which parents use the services provided by the City of Reykjavik’s Department of Pre-schools
Authors
Johanna Rosa Arnardottir and Gudny Bjork Eydal
Funding details
Funded by the City of Reykjavik’s Department of Pre-schools
Publication date
February, 2009
Keywords
Childcare, Reykjavik, kindergarten
Project description
A look into which services provided by the city of Reykjavik are used by parents and their wishes regarding the services.
Main findings
Participants were asked which services they had applied for last. 74% stated that they had applied for a place in a kindergarten run by the city of Reykjavik, 50% for cash for care (is. þjónustutrygging), 10% for day parent, 10% for an independently run kindergarten.
Study of child protection reports 2005-2009. Part I. Reykjavik, Reykjanesbaer and Arborg
Authors
Halldor Sig. Gudmundsson
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
November, 2009
Keywords
Child protection, Iceland
Project description
Study of the increase in child protection reports to child protection services.
Main findings
In Iceland reports to child protection services have increased by 20-32% in the years 2005-2009, except in 2008 when there were fewer reports. Nothing in the data indicates that the increase in reports in 2009 is related to the economic recession in Iceland.
Study of user participation in service
Authors
Heida Bjork Vigfusdottir
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
November, 2009
Keywords
User controlled services, Iceland
Project description
A rapport on user participation services in Iceland. The study is based on quantitative research findings and report by a committee on user participation services.
Main findings
The interviewees stated that the changes that came with user participation had been great, both for the individual and their families. It has had a positive effect on family life and relatives felt that the individual’s independence had increased.
Men’s violence against women: Social and child protection services’ response
Authors
Anni G. Haugen
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
October, 2009
Keywords
Iceland, domestic violence, violence against women, social services, child protection services
Project description
The aim of the project is to gain knowledge on how social services and child protection services respond to reports of domestic violence by women and suggest ideas to improve the service.
Main findings
Children seem to be a premise for seeking assistance from social services and women without children seeking help from them is uncommon. There is a need for increased knowledge and education on domestic violence for counsellors in social services and their associates.
Men’s violence against women: Response of 10 elementary school teachers
Authors
Gudrun Helga Sederholm
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
September, 2009
Keywords
Iceland, domestic violence, violence against women, elementary school
Project description
Research to gain knowledge on how schools respond when a child requires assistance because of domestic violence against the child’s mother and suggest improvements to the services.
Main findings
The knowledge of schools regarding domestic violence in student’s households is limited. Principals report cases to child protection services. School’s role in dealing with domestic violence is unclear.
Report on the effectiveness of the project, Caring for child “Hugsad um barn”
Authors
Asdis Adalbjorg Arnalds, Halldor Sig. Gudmunsson and Fridrik H. Jonsson
Funding details
With the University of Iceland’s Social Science Research Institute
Publication date
June, 2007
Keywords
Project description
Survey on the effectiveness and attitudes towards the project, Caring for child “Hugsad um barn” which ICE-CCFR – Centre for Children and Family Research conducted in spring 2007.
Main findings
The survey indicates that the care of a child can effect changes in the sexual behaviour of teenagers. These indications are supported by the fact that the participants of “Hugsad um barn” were less likely to have had sexual intercourse, were older at the time of sexual intercourse and were more likely to use contraception.
Caring for young children in Reykjavik. Part II.
Authors
ICE-CCFR – Centre for Children and Family Research
Funding details
Funded by the Reykjavik Municipality’s Preschool Division
Publication date
March, 2010
Keywords
Childcare, Reykjavik, paternity/maternity leave, Preschool
Project description
Research on what childcare measures parents in Reykjavik use after their maternity/paternity leave, reasons for differences in choice of service and how parents use and experience temporary childcare funds (Ice: Þjónustutrygging) available from the Reykjavik municipality.
A Web survey was carried out among the 878 parents who had applied for preschool or childcare funds from September 2008 to March 2009. The response rate was 60%.
Main findings
About 90% of participants stated that childcare funds should be an available measure provided by the Reykjavík municipality. A large majority (88%) felt such payments help parents bridge the gap between paternity/maternity leave and day care and 73% said that it increases the likelihood of someone close the child looking after the child.
Caring for young children in Reykjavik. Part I.
Authors
Johanna Rosa Arnardottir and Gudny Bjork Eydal
Funding details
Funded by the Reykjavik Municipality’s Preschool Division
Publication date
February, 2009
Keywords
Childcare, Reykjavik, Preschool
Project description
A web survey on which services provided by the Reykjavik Municipality’s Preschool Division are used by parents and their wishes regarding the services.
Main findings
Participants were asked which services they had applied for. The last application of 74% of the parents was a place in one of the Reykjavik Municipality’s Preschools and the last application of half of the parents was for childcare funds (Ice. þjónustutrygging).
Increase in child protection reports 2005-2009. Part I. A look at statistical data from child protective services in Reykjavik, Reykjanesbaer and Arborg in the first six months of each year in 2008-2009
Authors
Halldor Sig. Gudmundsson
Funding details
Funded by the Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
November, 2009
Keywords
Child protection, Iceland
Project description
A study on the increase in child protection reports to child protection services
Main findings
In the whole of Iceland reports to child protection services have increased by 20-32% in the years 2005-2009, except in 2008 when there were fewer reports. Nothing in the data indicates that the increase in reports in 2009 is related to the economic recession in Iceland
Study of user controlled services
Authors
Heida Bjork Vigfusdottir
Funding details
Ministry of Welfare
Publication date
November, 2009
Keywords
User controlled services, Iceland
Project description
A summary on user controlled services in Iceland based on the quantitative research findings and report by a committee on user controlled services.
Main findings
The interviewees stated that the changes that came with user controlled services had been great, both for the individual and their families. It has had a positive effect on family life and relatives felt that the individual’s independence had increased.