Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Social Factors Affecting the Completion of a Batterer Intervention Program

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

From the perspective of social learning theory, factors such as experiences with childhood abuse, witnessing sibling and parental violence, having a distant relationship with one’s father, and experiencing parental divorce were expected to be associated with completion of a 52-week court-mandated batterer intervention program. Archival data from 180 clinical files of adult male batterers, aged 18 and older, who completed at least an intake session from an existing state-approved domestic violence treatment facility in the Los Angeles area, were analyzed. Results from a binary logistical regression showed that none of the independent variables were significant predictors of program completion. However, each independent variable was individually associated with program completion (p < .05). This finding reveals a need to further explore the impact of these variables so that programs can be tailored to meet the specific needs of batterers in treatment. Limitations, clinical implications, and future directions for research are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bandura, A. (1978). Social learning theory of aggression. Journal of Communication, 28(3), 12–29. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.1978.tb01621.x.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A., & Ribes-Inesta, E. (1976). Analysis of delinquency and aggression. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bank, L., & Burraston, B. (2001). Abusive home environments as predictors of poor adjustment during adolescence and early childhood. Journal of Community Psychology, 29, 195–217. doi:10.1002/jcop.1014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, O., Miller-Perrin, C. L., & Perrin, R. D. (2005). Family violence across the lifespan: An Introduction. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bewick, V., Cheek, L., & Ball, J. (2005). Statistics review 14: logistic regression. Critical Care, 9, 112–118. doi:10.1186/cc3045.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, E., & Gilchrist, E. (2006). Predicting dropout of court-mandated treatment in a British sample of domestic violence offenders. Psychology, Crime & Law, 12(5), 573–587. doi:10.1080/10683160500337659.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brendgen, M., Vitaro, F., Tremblay, R. E., & Lavoie, F. (2001). Reactive and proactive aggression: predictions to physical violence in different contexts and moderating effects of parental monitoring and caregiving behavior. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 29, 293–304. doi:10.1023/A:1010305828208.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brodeur, N., Rondeau, G., Brochu, S., Lindsay, J., & Phelps, J. (2008). Does the transtheoretical model predict attrition in domestic violence treatment programs? Violence and Victims, 23(4), 493–507. doi:10.1891/0886-6708.23.4.493.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buttell, F., & Carney, M. (2002). Psychological and demographic predictors of attrition among batterers court ordered into treatment. Social Work Research, 26(1), 31–41. doi:10.1093/swr/26.1.31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buttell, F., & Pike, C. (2002). Investigating predictors of treatment attrition among court-ordered batterers. Journal of Social Service Research, 28(4), 53–68. doi:10.1300/J079v28n04_03.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • California State Auditor. (2006). Batterer intervention programs: County probations departments could improve their compliance with state law, but progress in batterer accountability also depends on the courts. Retrieved from http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2005-130.pdf.

  • Canada Department of Justice. (2001). Allegations of child abuse in the context of parental separation: A discussion paper (2001-FCY-4E). Retrieved from http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/fl-lf/divorce/2001_4/pdf/2001_4.pdf.

  • Carney, M., Buttell, F., & Muldoon, J. (2006). Predictors of batterer intervention program attrition: developing and implementing logistic regression models. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 43(2), 35–54. doi:10.1300/J076v43n02_02.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chalk, R. (2000). Assessing family violence interventions: Linking programs to research-based strategies. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 4(1), 29–53. doi:10.1300/J146v04n01_03.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, H., & Saunders, D. (2002). Predictors of attrition in two types of group programs for men who batter. Journal of Family Violence, 17(3), 273–292. doi:10.1023/A:1016057328929.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corvo, K. (2006). Violence, separation, and loss in the families of origin of domestically violent men. Journal of Family Violence, 21(2), 117–124. doi:10.1007/s10896-005-9011-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, E., & Wright, M. (2007). The impact of childhood psychological maltreatment on interpersonal schemas and subsequent experiences of relationship aggression. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 7(2), 93–116. doi:10.1300/J135v07n02_06.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dick, G. (2005). Witnessing marital violence as children: men’s perceptions of their fathers. Journal of Social Service Research, 32(2), 1–24. doi:10.1300/J079v32n02_01.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feder, L., & Wilson, D. B. (2005). A meta-analytic review of court-mandated batterer intervention programs: can courts affect abusers’ behavior? Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, 239–262. doi:10.1007/s11292-005-1179-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V., McNaughton Reyes, H., & Wyckoff, S. (2009). Approaches to preventing psychological, physical, and sexual partner abuse. Psychological and physical aggression in couples: Causes and interventions (pp. 165–189). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/11880-008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frias-Armenta, M. (2002). Long-term effects of childhood punishment on Mexican women: A structural model. Child Abuse & Neglect, 26, 371–386. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(02)00314-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gagné, M., & Bouchard, C. (2004). Family dynamics associated with the use of psychologically violent parental practices. Journal of Family Violence, 19(2), 117–130. doi:10.1023/B:JOFV.0000019842.74408.b0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerlock, A. (2001). A profile of who completes and who drops out of domestic violence rehabilitation. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 22(4), 379–400. doi:10.1080/01612840116997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilchrist, E., Johnson, R., Takriti, R., Weston, S., Beech, A., & Kebbell, M. (2003). Domestic violence offenders: Characteristics and offending related needs (Home Office Research Study No 217). London: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, T. (2013). The physical and emotional injuries of domestic violence. Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-physical-and-emotional-injuries-ofdomestic-violence/.

  • Gondolf, E.W. (2002). Service barriers for battered women with male partners in batterer programs. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17(2), 217–227. doi:10.1177/0886260502017002007.

  • Grann, M., & Wedin, I. (2002). Risk factors for recidivism among spousal assault and spousal homicide offenders. Psychology, Crime & Law, 8, 5–23. doi:10.1080/10683160290000860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamberger, L. K., Lohr, J., & Gottlieb, M. (2000). Predictors of treatment dropout from a spouse abuse abatement program. Behavior Modification, 24, 528–552. doi:10.1177/0145445500244003.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, K. L., & Edwards, J. N. (2004). An integrated theoretical model of sibling violence and abuse. Journal of Family Violence, 19(3), 185–200. doi:10.1023/B:JOFV.0000028078.71745.a2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Huss, M. T., & Ramsey, S. (2000). The clinical utility of batterer typologies. Journal of Family Violence, 15(1), 37–53. doi:10.1023/A:1007597319826.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacLeod, D., Pi, R., Smith, D., & Rose-Goodwin, L. (2009). Batterer intervention systems in California: An evaluation. (Research Report No. 230702). Retrieved from National Criminal Justice Reference Service website: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/230702.pdf.

  • Malinosky-Rummell, R., & Hansen, D. (1993). Long-term consequences of childhood physical abuse. Psychological Bulletin, 114(1), 68–79. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.114.1.68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, C.D., & Stone, R.J.G. (2010). Working paper: The nexus between economics and family violence: The expected impact of recent economic declines on the rates and patterns of intimate, child and elder abuse. (Research Report No. 229913). Retrieved from National Criminal Justice Reference Service website: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/229913.pdf.

  • McCloskey, K., Sitaker, M., Grigsby, N., & Malloy, K. (2003). Characteristics of male batterers in treatment: an example of a localized program evaluation concerning attrition. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 8(4), 67–95. doi:10.1300/J146v08n04_04.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, R., Jouriles, E. N., Ramisetty-Mikler, S., Caetano, R., & Green, C. E. (2006). Estimating the number of American children living in partner-violent families. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(1), 137–142. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.20.1.137.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murrell, A., Merwin, R., Christoff, K., & Henning, K. (2005). When parents model violence: the relationship between witnessing weapon use as a child and later use as an adult. Behavior and Social Issues, 14(2), 128–133. doi:10.5210/bsi.v14i2.359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nederhof, A. J. (2006). Methods of coping with social desirability bias: a review. European Journal of Social Psychology, 15(3), 263–280. doi:10.1002/ejsp.2420150303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rooney, J., & Hanson, R. (2001). Predicting attrition from treatment programs for abusive men. Journal of Family Violence, 16(2), 131–149. doi:10.1023/A:1011106902465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbaum, A., & Leisring, P.A. (2003). Beyond power and control: Towards an understanding of partner abusive men. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 34(1), 7–22.

  • Schwartz, J. P., Waldo, M., & Daniel, D. (2005). Gender-role conflict and self-esteem: factors associated with partner abuse in court-referred men. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 6(2), 109–113. doi:10.1037/1524-9220.6.2.109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segrin, C., Taylor, M. E., & Altman, J. (2005). Social cognitive mediators and relational outcomes associated with parental divorce. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22(3), 361–377. doi:10.1177/0265407505052441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swogger, M. T., Walsh, Z., & Kosson, D. S. (2007). Domestic violence and psychopathic traits: distinguishing the antisocial batterer from other antisocial offenders. Aggressive Behavior, 33, 253–260. doi:10.1002/ab.20185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taft, C., Schumm, J., Marshall, A., Panuzio, J., & Holtzworth-Munroe, A. (2008). Family-of-origin maltreatment, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, social information processing deficits, and relationship abuse perpetration. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 117(3), 637–646. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.117.3.637.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tollefson, D., & Gross, E. (2006). Predicting recidivism following participation in a treatment program for batterers. Journal of Social Service Research, 32(4), 39–62. doi:10.1300/J079v32n04_03.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tollefson, D., Gross, E., & Lundahl, B. (2008). Factors that predict attrition from a state-sponsored rural batterer treatment program. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 17(4), 453–477. doi:10.1080/10926770802463495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torres, S., & Han, H. (2003). Women’s perceptions of their male batterers’ characteristics and level of violence. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 24(6–7), 667–679. doi:10.1080/01612840305317.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Umberson, D., Anderson, K. L., Williams, K., & Chen, M. D. (2003). Relationship dynamics, emotion state, and domestic violence: a stress and masculinities perspective. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65, 233–247. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2003.00233.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallerstein, J. S., & Lewis, J. M. (2004). The unexpected legacy of divorce: report of a 25-year study. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 21(3), 353–370. doi:10.1037/0736-9735.21.3.353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., Horne, S., Holdford, R., & Henning, K. (2008). Family of origin violence predictors of IPV by two types of male offenders. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 17(2), 156–174. doi:10.1080/10926770802355915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wareham, J., Boots, D. P., & Chavez, J. M. (2009). A test of social learning and intergenerational transmission among batterers. Journal of Criminal Justice, 37, 163–173. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2009.02.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weigel, D. J. (2007). Parental divorce and the types of commitment-related messages people gain from their families of origin. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 47(1/2), 15–31. doi:10.1300/J087v47n01_02.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of La Verne, 1950 Third Street, La Verne, CA, 91750, USA

    Desiree A. Cuevas & Ngoc H. Bui

Authors
  1. Desiree A. Cuevas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ngoc H. Bui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ngoc H. Bui.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cuevas, D.A., Bui, N.H. Social Factors Affecting the Completion of a Batterer Intervention Program. J Fam Viol 31, 95–107 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9748-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9748-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation