Variables Associated With Attrition From Domestic Violence Treatment Programs Targeting Male Batterers

Abstract

Attrition from domestic violence treatment programs is of concern to correctional treatment providers because batterers who do not complete treatment are at higher risk for recidivism. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the extent to which various demographic, violence-related, and intrapersonal variables predict attrition from domestic violence treatment programs for male batterers. A total of 30 studies that focused on in-program attrition and were published in English between 1985 and 2010 were included in the meta-analysis. Several variables distinguished treatment completers from dropouts, including employment, age, income, education, marital status, race, referral source, previous domestic violence offenses, criminal history, and alcohol and drug use. Furthermore, the theoretical orientation of the treatment program (i.e., feminist psychoeducational vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy) was found to be an important moderating variable. Findings suggest that the variables that predict attrition tend to be the same variables that predict recidivism and are discussed in relation to the responsivity principle.

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