Predicting recidivism following participation ina batterer treatment program
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title
Journal of Social ServiceResearch
Publication Date
2006
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Volume
32
Issue
4
First Page
39
Last Page
62
Abstract
This study examined recidivism rates for 197 batterers who participated in a state-sponsored domestic violence treatment program. The primary objective of the study was to identify factors associated with post-intervention recidivism. Significant factors identified through bivariate analyses were analyzed through logistic regression for the purpose of developing predictive models. Bivariate analyses identified 10 factors associated with post-intervention recidivism. Of these factors, logistic regression identified four factors that were predictive of recidivism. These four factorspsychopathology (personality disorders), psychiatric history, substance abuse, and child abuse in family of origin—were able to predict 84% of all outcomes and 97% and 28% of abstainers and reoffenders, respectively. The data suggest that batterer characteristics, particularly batterer pathology and substance abuse, are more influential determinants of recidivism than systemic and programmatic factors. These findings are discussed with respect to their implications for policy, practice, and future research.
Recommended Citation
Tollefson, D. R., & Gross, E. (2006). Predicting recidivism following participation in a batterer treatment program. Journal of Social Service Research, 32 (4), 39-62.
