Comparison and prediction of completers and non-completers of a domestic violence program

Abstract

Sixty-two male batterers and 31 female victim/partners were recruited from an existing batterers' rehabilitation program from June 1997 through December 1997. Forty-eight men were veterans and 14 active duty. All subjects were interviewed at the initial or second contact with the program. In addition, the batterers were given eight research tools and the victims' two tools to complete. Of the 62 men who volunteered for the study, one man transferred to another duty station, 38 dropped out of the program, and 23 made the transition from the rehabilitation to maintenance phase of the program.Using t-test and Chi-square analysis, comparisons were made between batterers' and victims' reports and completion status on the descriptive variables and research tools. A logistical regression was preformed to predict completion/non-completion status. The results of the logistical regression was a Model Chi-square statistic of 31.08 (p = .000). The model predicted 88.89% of the non-completers, 78.26% of the completers, and had an over-all predictive ability of 84.75% for the research sample. Completers were found to be more likely young, to be court-monitored, to have lower levels of stress (SOS Inventory) and post-traumatic stress (PCL), and to have higher levels of mutuality (MPDQ) in their relationships than non-completers.