The late implementation in Spain of intervention programmes for male abusers stresses the need to carry out research that can maximise the effectiveness of such treatment. Up till now, very few studies have been published that assess the variables relating to the continuation or abandonment of the treatment and its efficiency, and there are even fewer studies that examine this subject from a qualitative standpoint. The object of the study is to identify key aspects in the intervention programmes that can enhance the efficiency of the treatment offered to men that have been convicted for a crime involving domestic violence, and who have had their prison sentence suspended or commuted to a programme entailing therapy. With this aim in mind, a qualitative analysis is conducted of the data obtained in two discussion groups formed by psychologists who applied the programme and who are distributed in accordance with the type of therapy individual or group-oriented they administered.

The findings reflect the convenience of considering the specifics of this context of intervention in the design of such programmes, along with their assessment. Strategies should be improved to enhance motivation, and also to strengthen the therapeutic alliance and ensure that the men stick to the treatment. We will also have to broaden our assessment strategies so that they offer data that is qualitatively different and can enable an overall assessment to be made of the impact of the treatment and the risk to the victim.